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.

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.

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.

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.

2 sets of legs all done.

Next add the long side apron pieces.  Again I measured the length of the island top and subtracted 3 or 4 inches.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

I stained the island in a natural stain and waxed the top.  A few hooks added for towels, etc was the final step.

 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 :)!