This Table Cost Pennies....literally
by knife141 in Workshop > Furniture
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This Table Cost Pennies....literally
If you've ever wanted a new patio table for pennies, then this instructable is for you!
I was getting ready to throw away an old cheap glass-top patio end table when my wife came up with the idea of covering it in pennies. Since I really hate to ever throw anything away, it naturally seemed like a good idea.
I was getting ready to throw away an old cheap glass-top patio end table when my wife came up with the idea of covering it in pennies. Since I really hate to ever throw anything away, it naturally seemed like a good idea.
Gather Your Supplies
I only needed a few things for this project. First, was an old, ugly table that happened to have a glass top.
Second, I used an adhesive that works on non-porous surfaces (I used Goop, but other similar adhesives should be fine).
Third, I didn't count them, but I probably used about $4 worth of pennies.
And finally, I used grout. I happened across a pre-colored bag of grout that was marked down substantially, so this worked for me.
I also used some cleaner to clean the table, a putty knife to spread the grout, and damp sponges and paper towels to apply and finish the grout.
Second, I used an adhesive that works on non-porous surfaces (I used Goop, but other similar adhesives should be fine).
Third, I didn't count them, but I probably used about $4 worth of pennies.
And finally, I used grout. I happened across a pre-colored bag of grout that was marked down substantially, so this worked for me.
I also used some cleaner to clean the table, a putty knife to spread the grout, and damp sponges and paper towels to apply and finish the grout.
Start Gluing
We started at the outside edge of the table to glue down the pennies. In our particular case we decided to do two rows of "heads," two rows of "tails", etc.
After gluing down all the pennies, we let the glue cure per the manufacturers recommendation.
After gluing down all the pennies, we let the glue cure per the manufacturers recommendation.
Add the Grout
Once the glue had cured, we applied the grout. I mixed up a very small batch of grout, mixing it to a fairly stiff consistency. After mixing, I let it sit for about 20 minutes and mixed again to make sure all the dry ingredients were mixed well.
Since I was doing this part by myself, I wasn't able to photograph the process, but it was pretty simple. I placed a bit of the grout mixture on the table and forced it into every gap with a plastic putty knife. After covering all gaps, I then let it sit for about 20 minutes.
Next, I took a damp sponge and begin wiping the grout off the pennies, cleaning the sponge frequently as I progressed. After cleaning all the grout from the tops of the pennies. I wiped them down with a dry paper towel. All that was left was to let the grout cure overnight.
Since I was doing this part by myself, I wasn't able to photograph the process, but it was pretty simple. I placed a bit of the grout mixture on the table and forced it into every gap with a plastic putty knife. After covering all gaps, I then let it sit for about 20 minutes.
Next, I took a damp sponge and begin wiping the grout off the pennies, cleaning the sponge frequently as I progressed. After cleaning all the grout from the tops of the pennies. I wiped them down with a dry paper towel. All that was left was to let the grout cure overnight.
Let the Grout Cure
This turned out to be a relatively simple and inexpensive way to turn a cheap ugly table into a real conversation piece.
By the way, before anyone feels a need to tell me I violated federal laws by defacing coins, there's no need. No coins were defaced in any way (not cut, nor drilled, nor anything else). All the coins are still intact. No coin was harmed in the making of this table......
By the way, before anyone feels a need to tell me I violated federal laws by defacing coins, there's no need. No coins were defaced in any way (not cut, nor drilled, nor anything else). All the coins are still intact. No coin was harmed in the making of this table......