The Conservative Cave
The Bar => The Lounge => Topic started by: Wineslob on November 11, 2009, 10:19:01 AM
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I thought I'd post this question here where more of the wimmins will see it.
I had no clue as to what present I should get my wife for Christmas. Well, an idea popped into my head. (guys, NOT that one!) She loves a Mission style coffee table that she bought at WallyWorld. The problem is, it's a POS. I've tried to "fix" the darned thing a few times but the matrials that it's made of are, in a word, crap.
So I thought I would make one for her, as near a copy as I can come up with. I have a woodworking background so making this is no problem.
So ladies, if your hubby/bf/SO made you something like this, would you like it as a present?
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Why would you buy furniture from Walmart? :loser:
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I thought I'd post this question here where more of the wimmins will see it.
I had no clue as to what present I should get my wife for Christmas. Well, an idea popped into my head. (guys, NOT that one!) She loves a Missionary style coffee table that she bought at WallyWorld. The problem is, it's a POS. I've tried to "fix" the darned thing a few times but the matrials that it's made of are, in a word, crap.
So I thought I would make one for her, as near a copy as I can come up with. I have a woodworking background so making this is no problem.
So ladies, if your hubby/bf/SO made you something like this, would you like it as a present?
Great wife! :thumbs: :-)
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I thought I'd post this question here where more of the wimmins will see it.
I had no clue as to what present I should get my wife for Christmas. Well, an idea popped into my head. (guys, NOT that one!) She loves a Mission style coffee table that she bought at WallyWorld. The problem is, it's a POS. I've tried to "fix" the darned thing a few times but the matrials that it's made of are, in a word, crap.
So I thought I would make one for her, as near a copy as I can come up with. I have a woodworking background so making this is no problem.
So ladies, if your hubby/bf/SO made you something like this, would you like it as a present?
Absolutely! My bf is a woodturner, and a few years ago he made me a set of rough edge bowls that I LOVE.
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I would love something like that!
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Another yes vote here, I'd love a gift like that.
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Yes....because you made it and it's done from the heart because you know you can make a really neat one and you will take the time and trouble to do it for her.
In the last 15 years that we have been together, the other half has given me some beautiful jewelry for my birthday (Dec 22)....
My favorite gift from him though.....a custom made fishing rod with a Shumano. He cut the blank himself, and had it finished by a professional rod maker. My favorite color is green - which he hates - yet the wraps on mine are teal green and gold. He gave it to me for Christmas 11 years ago. I cried. It meant so much to me that he thought I "needed" my own fishing pole when we went fishing. My kids thought I'd flipped out... :lmao:
"Heart" gifts are the best!!
For the record....an appliance is not a "heart" gift.....I don't care how often a woman says she wants a new vacuum or microwave....never should a man give his woman one for a gift.
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Absolutely! My bf is a woodturner, and a few years ago he made me a set of rough edge bowls that I LOVE.
With all the cheap crap on the market today, much easier to buy furniture even if it only lasts a few years.
Here in New England people swamp thrift shops and garage sales looking for hand made items, these things are often one of a kind and can never be replaced. The cost to build a simple table from scratch is 3-5 times the amount of mass production---impersonal and anyone can purchase it.
A well built home made table will last generations and become an item for your family to fight over when you pass on. It is a delight when one finds a home made piece of furniture , turn it over and see that your direct ancestor signed and dated the piece he made for his family.
This also goes for great grandmas quilt, art work sometimes painted on wooden boards.
Hooked and braided rugs. These are priceless and the maker most likely would be astonished to find that 3-4 generations down the road just what an emotional value their family place on an item made from their own hands.
To the maker this was a necessity, something needed, to the family in the future it is perhaps the only link to the past they have.
One of my sons in 3 RD grade made me a plaster Manger Scene for Xmas . He has no idea I still have it but when I pass on it will go back to him---what a surprise.
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Absolutely! My bf is a woodturner, and a few years ago he made me a set of rough edge bowels that I LOVE.
:o
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:o
Man, that ain't right. You had me looking for a spelling error, and I didn't make one!
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Why would you buy furniture from Walmart? :loser:
She bought it. :thatsright:
TY for the responses, I started on it this morning. :hyper:
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Yes....DO IT.
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She bought it. :thatsright:
TY for the responses, I started on it this morning. :hyper:
Awesome!
We want pictures!!
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Awesome!
We want pictures!!
total thread de-rail in 3...2...1...
Deb, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your avatar!
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Yes....DO IT.
Hey! You sound like my wife! :naughty:
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total thread de-rail in 3...2...1...
Deb, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your avatar!
Thanks!!!
I love otters :-)
The expression on this one just says...."huh? you talkin' to me?"
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yes!!!! I would love it if I were her.
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Absolutely...
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I love it when my husband gives me wood! :evillaugh:
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I love it when my husband gives me wood! :evillaugh:
:rofl:
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She bought it. :thatsright:
TY for the responses, I started on it this morning. :hyper:
I think it's a great idea and would be overwhelmed by the gesture if it were me.
I can't wait to see pics!
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I love it when my husband gives me wood! :evillaugh:
ummm....yeah..... :naughty:
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ummm....yeah..... :naughty:
Aren't we bad!
But seriously, WS, your gift will be amazing!
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What a beautiful wonderful idea you should be getting the thanks for many many years for it.
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TY, everyone, um, even Shade. (send me pics) :tongue: (
I got the top glued up and the legs. Now some sanding will be in order.
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TY, everyone, um, even Shade. (send me pics) :tongue: (
I got the top glued up and the legs. Now some sanding will be in order.
Wow....you got it together that fast?
I am soooo impressed!!! :bow:
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Wow....you got it together that fast?
I am soooo impressed!!! :bow:
I've actually gotten the top sanded down with #400 grit paper, almost ready to stain/varnish. Same with the legs. Now I need to do the "stringers" that will make the frame of the table.
I have to sneak a camera out of the house to get pics (I don't have my own), I'm doing this at work during breaks, and a little bit after-hours so she won't see what I'm up to.
The hard part is going to be the finish on the top. It needs to be a 4-5 layer varnish that's rubbed to a satin gloss.
Right now the pieces/parts don't look like much.
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I love it when my husband gives me wood! :evillaugh:
Well it is the gift that keeps on giving the whole year through! :evillaugh:
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A few pics of the project.
The ends of the table:
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k179/Apogeespeaker/DSCN0134.jpg)
Shot of a single end:
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k179/Apogeespeaker/DSCN0138.jpg)
(one of the stained legs on right)
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Well it is the gift that keeps on giving the whole year through! :evillaugh:
That's what he said!
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That's what he said!
No, no, no... if it lasts more than 4 hours call a doctor. Am I the only one who watches commercials?
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A few pics of the project.
The ends of the table:
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k179/Apogeespeaker/DSCN0134.jpg)
Shot of a single end:
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k179/Apogeespeaker/DSCN0138.jpg)
Looks AWESOME!!!!
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The top and bottom:
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k179/Apogeespeaker/DSCN0135.jpg)
The bottom next to the experimental staining I did. The color on the square legs is the final custom color I came up with.
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k179/Apogeespeaker/DSCN0137-1.jpg)
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lookin' good!
your wife is going to be so surprised and really thrilled!
:cheersmate:
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Oh, Shade, the construction technique for the end pieces is called tongue
and in groove. :naughty:
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Beautiful! What type of wood and when do you start the end tables? :uhsure:
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The top and bottom is Birch veneered plywood, and the frame(s) are Alder. If the wife wants end tables, I'll do those too. :-)
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Very nice...I am truly envious of the gift. I dabble a bit in woodworking myself, my particular favorite thing to do is turn a piece of furniture into something entirely different. Or piece something together from scraps I've collected.
Home Depot is my fave store and the "cull" bin is my first stop.
A finished pic would be wonderful.
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No, no, no... if it lasts more than 4 hours call a doctor. Am I the only one who watches commercials?
If it lasts more than four hours you should be proud! (Then call the optometrist in the Restasis commercials!)
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Very nice...I am truly envious of the gift. I dabble a bit in woodworking myself, my particular favorite thing to do is turn a piece of furniture into something entirely different. Or piece something together from scraps I've collected.
Then you should check this one out too. http://www.conservativecave.com/index.php/topic,35576.0.html
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I have the pieces done! :hyper:
Here's a mock up, but unstained. The whole thing will be the color of the legs and then rubbed varnished.
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k179/Apogeespeaker/DSCN0152.jpg)
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k179/Apogeespeaker/DSCN0153.jpg)
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WOW!!!
I've seen that style in the stores...they are quite expensive!
:bow: :bow: :bow:
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I wouldn't be suprised if you have a few people on here asking how much to build them something. You have a gift for it
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TY^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If I had the equipment I could get "fancier". That whole table was made on a single tablesaw and a drillpress/mill.
The tablesaw is a "contractor" grade. I got the blade zeroed out as best as I could, but it's not perfect. I usually like to get them within 1/2 a degree (90 or 45 degree). This one won't do better than about 2 (too much slop in the adjuster and the fence), but it'll work.
Now for the hard part......the finish.
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How much would charge for a doll bed? After Christmas is fine
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Uh-oh, now I've gone and done it. ^^^^ :thatsright:
I'm not really set up for doing projects. This is being done at work during breaks and after hours. I don't want the wife to know.
I'm going to be looking for equipment in the future, the economy is bad, so stuff shows up cheap. If and when I set up a shop in the garage, I'll post about it.
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:cheersmate:
Looks awesome!
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Well, it's done! :hyper: The finish is Minwax's wipe on poly. The stuff works great! It's a nearly furniture shop quality, and very easy to apply.
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k179/Apogeespeaker/DSCN0159.jpg)
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k179/Apogeespeaker/DSCN0160.jpg)
I think she'll like it.
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It looks fantastic. I want one.
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How tall is it? Looks like about 22-24". I would have put a beveled edge on the bottom, for tender stockinged feet. :-)
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That is the awesomist of the awesome. Way to go. Seriously. Way. To. Go.
:cheersmate:
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Nice work!
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Very beautiful!
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Just beautiful!!
If she doesn't like it.....there are several of us who will take it off her hands... :uhsure:
Have you thought about making these and putting them on eBAy or Craig's List?
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The over-all size is 20" X 44" (top)X 21 1/2" height. A bit small IMO but I was replicating an existing piece.It wasen't hard to make, and only about 12-15 hours of labor.
Cost (retail) would be in the $400-$500's, if I were to produce furniture like this, so I don't know if there would be a market. (donno if that's expensive??)
In retrospect, I wish I had laminated the top in solid Alder, but I don't have a planer to smooth it out after gluing up. See below.
I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to be making the matching side table. :thatsright:
Donno if I'd like doing commercial work, but you never know. Lemme look for equipment in the comming months.
I am thinking of making some Stickley pieces, but most of the innerwebs vultures want $$$ for plans.
Ty very much for the compliments.
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The grain pattern is a real beauty. I bet she gets all like misty-eyed when she sees it. I would, and I am not a very teary girl.
But daggum, what a beautiful thoughtful gift. Way to go.
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The grain pattern is a real beauty. I bet she gets all like misty-eyed when she sees it. I would, and I am not a very teary girl.
But daggum, what a beautiful thoughtful gift. Way to go.
The fact that you made it yourself, WS, should start the waterworks.
And yes...your wife will want the end tables.
$400 to $500 for a solid wood handcrafted coffee table is quite reasonable. If you decide to do it...I would get your own website and do custom orders.
As talented as you are....I would think you could do Stickley copies without the plans.
Look for Craftsman furniture too...Stickley is "craftsman" style. Might want to check Ikea's website too.
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VERY nice!!!
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Looks great! Nice job.
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Great job. We want to see pictures of the splintered WalMart version after you've thrown it out the second story window.
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I want to see a picture of his wife's face when she sees it for the first time.
She is going to be in shock!
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Absolutely beautiful!
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Great job. We want to see pictures of the splintered WalMart version after you've thrown it out the second story window.
I'm thinking it's gonna contribute to Glowballs Warming...........in my wood burning stove....... :-)
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She loves it! :cheersmate:
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Hooray for making stuff by hand!
And again, this is the only forum I've ever seen where the members actually do stuff. I don't feel so old fashioned when I read threads like this.
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Beautiful. You are very talented, I am not at all surprised that Mrs WS loved it.
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Ladies love good quality wood
products.
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Ladies love good quality wood
You are just asking for it. heh
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She loves it! :cheersmate:
There was no doubt from any of us that she would!!
Did you get pictures when she first saw it?
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Did you get pictures when she first saw it?
She HATES pictures of herself. :banghead:
She's been sending pics of it to all her friends on FB. :hyper: