OT: DIY

[AussieBuck]

Inspired by Pachinko, I've started on a bottom floor for the treehouse. Once I have a replacement for photobucket I'll put up some photos.

[Pachinko_]

most importantly, keep all your fingers.

Your shop turned out nice and is freakishly organized.

has to be, it's tiny.

in the spirit of freakish organisation I built a french cleat system and 2 shelves and a charging station that can be moved anywhere long the rails.

materials required: one sheet of plywood and a broom handle

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[Pachinko_]

I made a little plywood table for the couch

[Pachinko_]

aaaaaand a mallet

[Finn]

Both projects very cool!!

[Pachinko_]

Τhis weekend I made myself a toolbox out of plywood and Merbau



I actually made this handle out of a branch that fell off a eucalyptus tree in the garden











can't stop making stuff these days, fkn addictive.

[Jez2983]

That stuff is fantastic. Do you have a trade or is this just all self-taught?

Great seeing the stuff you come up with.

[HaroldinGMinor]

That little table is really cool. We actually need something like that in our place.

[Pachinko_]

That stuff is fantastic. Do you have a trade or is this just all self-taught?

Great seeing the stuff you come up with.

Nah I'm a spreadsheet jockey by day

This is all self taught from youtube plus advice from a couple of friends.

I think I'd probably hate it if it was my trade, this stuff is hard to sell and make a living.

[Pachinko_]

That little table is really cool. We actually need something like that in our place.

yeah that's how it started, we were looking for something like that and nobody was selling one somewhat decent looking.

It really only requires about $150 worth of tools and plywood... and a lot of patience, this thing takes time.

[HaroldinGMinor]

That little table is really cool. We actually need something like that in our place.

yeah that's how it started, we were looking for something like that and nobody was selling one somewhat decent looking.

It really only requires about $150 worth of tools and plywood... and a lot of patience, this thing takes time.

Maybe my old man can help me out since he has the space and the tools. What are the odds of you putting together a video and/or written instructions?

[Pachinko_]

Maybe my old man can help me out since he has the space and the tools. What are the odds of you putting together a video and/or written instructions?

slim for the video considering I'm not making another one, but it's pretty much the same process as this

Watch on YouTube

Now this guy uses a lot of tools, a bandsaw and a router table, because he has them and it's a little bit faster, but you don't need any of that.

Essentially what you do is draw a fat C on a piece of plywood, and then cut it out with a $20 jigsaw. Imagine that the C will be the profile of your table so shape it as you like it to look and function. I went for 2 inches thick because I knew my girls will sit and probably jump on it

Then using that C as a template try and draw as many Cs as you can fit on a sheet of plywood, and then cut them as identical as possible. Then spread wood glue on them as evenly as you can with a brush and glue them together (one at the time), making sure to align them as perfectly as possible. They tend to slide when they have glue on so you also drive a couple of nails in before you proceed to the next one. Nails hold it down as well so you don't really need clamps or ratchet straps, but if you have them use them as well, it will give a slightly better result. Once you have maybe 20 pieces together, depending on the thickness of your plywood, you have a decent size table. You can also sandwich other material in between, I used masonite which gave me a couple of black stripes for some visual interest, or you can use coloured plywood or even acrylic, it's all up to you to make your own pattern. (If you do use acrylic or perspex you will probably need different glue for that layer, not wood glue, ask at the hardware store)

Note: glueing is always a messy business, put an old cloth underneath and maybe use disposable gloves as well.

Leave it overnight to dry. Next day you will need a well ventilated space, a dust mask and a cheap belt sander:


The better job you did cutting and aligning when glueing the less sanding it will take, but be prepared that it will take at least an hour of sanding. Start with 80 grit to get rid of anything that sticks out, and then 120 to bring it to smooth. It will never be mirror smooth because it's all end grain plywood so don't spend too much time trying. Then varnish, let it dry, sand lightly by hand, varnish again. Probably 4-6 coats depending how much mirror finish you're going for. Varnishing and sanding takes a few minutes but probably a whole day of drying in between depending on your weather, so don't rush it. Then chuck 4 little feet underneath from a hardware store and you're done!

PS Keep some sawdust. If you have any gaps anywhere mix it with some 2 part epoxy, make a paste and use it.

[HaroldinGMinor]

Thank you, sir!

[Pachinko_]

no problems

if you do start it and have any questions you know where to find me, good luck!

[Bdog1313]

very impressive. the french cleat system is awesome. i had never seen that before and it has given me some ideas for my work shop area. thanks for sharing and well done, sir!

[stellation]

Hey fellas- maybe a dumb question, I've got some treated pine sleepers (ACQ) that I've need to cut to length- do I need to seal the cut in any way? They'll be sitting half above ground/half below ground. I pretty much always used hardwood sleepers but needed to use treated pine in this instance and have zip idea of where the treatment sits.

[Pachinko_]

Hey fellas- maybe a dumb question, I've got some treated pine sleepers (ACQ) that I've need to cut to length- do I need to seal the cut in any way? They'll be sitting half above ground/half below ground. I pretty much always used hardwood sleepers but needed to use treated pine in this instance and have zip idea of where the treatment sits.

Nah it"s impregnated thoughout the wood, just cut it. If you use any screws make sure to get SS/galv or the ACQ will rust them quickly.

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[AussieBuck]

Need to finish my treehouse and post pictures

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[Pachinko_]

I made a Benjamin Franklin chair/ladder

It was a giant PITA, just too much cutting, routing, sanding, getting things wrong and then taking steps back to fix it.
I have a new respect for people who design & make hand made chairs



but my girls helped with the painting


That's the final product. Amazing the difference in color quality between my phone and my camera

[bizarro]

Love that chair ladder! Beautiful. Your girls pic is hilarious.