Simple Side Table From a Fence Post

by buck2217 in Workshop > Woodworking

1535 Views, 7 Favorites, 0 Comments

Simple Side Table From a Fence Post

IMG_20210305_113927.jpg
It's lockdown time again in NZ, only for 1 week this time but there was no time to buy in supplies for some projects, so I will just use what I have lying around.
I need a small side table to balance my refreshing libation on whilst relaxing on my chaise by the pool 😂

Materials

IMG_20200626_122540.jpg
IMG_20200626_123122.jpg
A fencepost, or 4 offcuts from fenceposts
Glue
Dog nails /rail staples
Ceramic tile
Tile grout
Tools
Compound mitre saw
Bench sander
Hammer

Cut the Fence Post Up and Shape Legs

IMG_20200626_122645.jpg
IMG_20200626_122733.jpg
Cut the fence post into 4 equal lengths using the compound sliding mitre saw and then tapered each leg (I used 4 offcuts of fenceposts from building a lean to)
I also sanded the inner surfaces of each leg as they would be difficult to get to later

Glue the Legs Together and Sand Down

IMG_20210302_113303.jpg
I used a waterproof wood glue and glued the 4 legs together and clamped them.
When dry I sanded the whole lot on the bench sander

Add the Staples/dog Nails

IMG_20200626_123923.jpg
IMG_20200626_124457.jpg
IMG_20200626_124706.jpg
IMG_20210303_130133.jpg
Whilst these are for decoration they also provide a lot of strength to the structure.
I have had these knocking around the shed for a while so cleaned them up, painted then and then predrilled the holes before hammering them in.
They are offset from each other to prevent the spikes hitting each other or splitting the wood

Make Sure Its Nice and Stable

IMG_20210304_121009.jpg
IMG_20210304_121040.jpg
The table had a little bit of a "rock" on it.
One leg was about 2mm shorter than the others
There are 2 ways to rectify this
1) try and cut or sand 2mm off the other 3 legs, this almost never works
2) put on your big boy pants and use a piece of wood to help you mark all 4 legs while the table is in a stable position then carefully cut off a decent bit off all 4 legs with a tenon saw

Tile the Top

IMG_20210303_130148.jpg
I covered the top in a thick layer of glue and added a tile left over from my chaise project

Grout

IMG_20210304_124140.jpg
I put some parcel tape around the tile, then grouted with black grout (again left from my chaise)

Varnish

IMG_20210305_113927.jpg
Gave it a coat of marine varnish that I found in a cupboard

And in Its Place

IMG_20210306_122640.jpg