PENNY TABLE

I started making this table last year after seeing the penny desk that Epbot made. I have to say, it certainly inspired me to get back into what I love doing.

And now we have my latest creation....

Let me know what you think :~)

You will need some materials to get started:

* table legs
* epoxy
* pennies
* 3/4" melamine or MDF (23" W  X  31" L )
* trim
* white glue
* Q-tips
* CLR cleaner
* plumbers torch

I happened to get this bar table for free. The legs were powder coated an ugly brown. I removed the coating from the legs with a grinder with an attached paint removal disk. If you don't have a grinder (noisy and creates a LOT of dust) you can use paint stripper.

Clean the pennies using CLR - but be careful: after 1998 (if not mistaken) the pennies were only copper PLATED. If you leave them in the cleanser for too long, they will turn kind of a rose colour.

For convenience, I used white melamine for the table backer - but next time I will just paint some MDF. Paint will be brighter and show better. I cut the melamine to the size I was after and was ready to lay down some pennies!!

Ok, so after a few days of glueing down all 1470 pennies, I realized I made a mistake.

* You should lay out a horizontal and vertical row of pennies and get a measurement first *

If you don't, you will arrive at the problem you see in the pics. I didn't measure before hand and now the melamine is too wide. If you try to cut it after the fact - it will be difficult and dangerous because you will pop pennies off as you try to cut. You will also damage your saw blade. It can be done - but it is tricky. Try to avoid this mistake.

The other issue was on the ends. As you can see, the pennies go over the edge. I chose to cut each penny with a Dremel tool and a thin cut-off wheel. Make sure you wear you safety glasses. Use pliers to hold onto the penny while cutting cuz it gets hot!

Now you can measure and cut your trim pieces, then paint them. The trim I used had a 90 degree profile and was purchased at the Home Depot. The great thing about this trim: when I had attached it to my work - the surface of the pennies were flush with the top of the trim. This is good for when you epoxy because it will flow easily right over the edge.

The best thing to do when using epoxy is to heat it up! It flows much easier and allows it to level out nicely.

After you've poured, wait 15mins. for bubbles to come to the surface. Using a plumbers torch you run the flame over the whole board to get rid of the bubbles. Be careful not to keep it in one place too long or it will burn the epoxy. Keep it moving and at minimum 6" from the surface.

Let the table sit for another 15mins. then go back and give it one more pass with the torch. Use a small paint brush to wipe away any drips hanging off the lower edges. Wait at least 4-7 days for the epoxy to fully harden.

I did 3 separate coats of epoxy on this table top.