Monday, June 10, 2013

Island Tutorial

Thank you all for your sweet thoughts about our son Mason.  I am a better and stronger person for having gone through it, thanks to God's grace Your comments meant a lot to me.

I did manage to get an island made this weekend and I remembered to take some process pictures so I can show you a tutorial.  I made an island, but this same tutorial will work to make a potting bench or wine bar, sofa or entry table.
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
I started with a lovely piece of wood that I knew I wanted to use for a table top and 4x4  legs cut the same length (Well 2 legs were 4x4's and 2 were a bit smaller--I made sure I put the two same ones in the front and the other two in the back.).  The top piece is narrow, but I still saw island.  If you do not have reclaimed wood you can use pallet wood and piece the top together and 2x4's for the legs.  I made this piece a little taller, but when deciding height I usually measure my counter top height, my own sofa table when making a sofa table, etc.
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
I then used some smaller trim type wood to make the table apron.  I measure the island top width and cut the short side pieces 2 inches shorter than this measurement.  I also cut 2 pieces for the bottom shelf brackets. Remember the longer apron piece will be included in the total width of the sides so depending on the thickness of your wood you may need to make the side apron pieces more than 2 inches shorter than your top piece. I sand my wood before I assemble--much easier that way.  Also, never assume the end of a piece of wood is straight, cut a 1/2 of an inch off yourself to start with a straight end.

I assemble the sides or legs.  I lay the short apron piece across the top edge of two legs.  I measure the inside distance between the legs and cut a scrap piece of wood to use a "jig" to keep the legs an equal distance apart.  I use a clamp to hold the jig tightly in place.
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
I attach the apron pieces and then flip it over to attach the bottom shelf brackets.  Measure up from the bottom of the legs and mark where to place the bracket.
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
2 sets of legs all done.
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
Next add the long side apron pieces.  Again I measured the length of the island top and subtracted 3 or 4 inches.
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
Although this was very sturdy, I wanted to add a cross bar mostly for design purposes, but it does help to sturdy the piece more. 
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
At this point I decided I wanted this part of the table to be painted, and the rest to be left as wood, so I painted the base blue.
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
I then added the bottom shelf.  I always make my table base to fit the top piece I am using and the assume I will find something to make the bottom shelf.  Sometimes it is one piece of wood like it was here, sometimes 2 or more.  At times if I am using more than one board I need to leave a slight space between the boards to make what I have fit.
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
I wanted some side pieces, again for design purposes.  I wish I could tell you what angles I used to make these side pieces, but I am a random girl so.I cut the 2 pieces together at an angle and then hold them where they need to be and draw a line showing where the angle should be cut.  I take it to my miter saw and cut it on the line. Sorry that is a little confusing.
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
I attached the top using my kreg jig.  Before I had this, I would screw through the top of the wood which is okay for most of my rustic pieces.  This was the first time using my kreg jig and I am quite sure I didn't do it correctly but here is a great tutorial from Gail at My Repurposed Life that shows you how.  What I did worked.
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
I stained the island in a natural stain and waxed the top.  A few hooks added for towels, etc was the final step.
reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html

reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html


reclaimed wood island tutorial http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2013/06/island-tutorial.html
 On another note, I was contacted by the producer from Home and Family on the Hallmark channel and supposedly they made and filmed my pallet bench today, and it will air on tomorrow's show.  They will mention my blog.  I say supposedly because I have had other opportunities not pan out, but hopefully :)!

13 comments:

  1. Hi Becky,
    I love your work. This piece is wonderful.
    I'm glad you have been blessed with "the work of your hands" and share with us. -
    Blessings to your family while remembering Mason.
    Deb@LakeGirlPaints

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've made a similar but smaller square table, and you've convinced me to make a taller one like yours! LOve it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a great tutorial. What type of wax did you use and what's the biggest benefit to using the wax instead of polyurethane? I'm a newbie to this and I don't really understand using the wax.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for sharing this tutorial with us. I too love to build furniture. I designed and built my own coffee table after I searched high and low for what I wanted and when I finally found it I could not afford the $399 price tag. I just finished repurposing an old wooden desk that I purchased off of craigslist for $20. I took it apart and made 2 cute nightstands/end tables that each have 2 drawers with nice wooden knobs. I painted them white with blue tops and blue drawer fronts. The knobs are a combination of white and blue. Now I am selling them on craigslist again with a whole new look! I am the happiest when I am building something or doing some sort of craft project. Good luck with the Hallmark channel show. Let us know how it goes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful work Becky... I love that island!
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice job Becky! Love that blue and the stained top!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love this cute island! Beautiful work. Crossing my fingers for your Hallmark opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What is the wood top? What type if wood? Where did you get it? Dimensions? Thanks. Love this!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I totally love this! The color of the legs is amazing! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love your islands, Becky! THanks for the tutorial. I would love to give this a try!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What height do you typically make your islands?
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Becky, thanks for sharing! I have a couple pieces of wood I'd like to try this with and your tutorial will really help ~ now to actually make it happen :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate your kind words!