It has been a while since I have posted, but since the last posting I have moved to Birmingham for a new job and have been very busy with my new adventure.  I now lived in a condo so I don't have the room I used to for new projects, however I thought my latest project was worth sharing.  I found a few old Hemingray insulators at the Gardendale Flea Market and decided to make pendant lamps out of them to hang on my porch.  I now just need to consult an electrician to help with the wiring!

Patented June 9 1896!

I recently found these old adjustable cast iron legs.  The markings say that they were patented on June 9, 1896!  They are not marked with a manufacture date but they could be over 100 years old!  I think they look really cool as a base for the pine top I made. 

-Charles

More Butcher Block Table Tops

After the first two butcher block tables, I really fell in love with the look.  So I decided I would try my hand at putting together my own butcher block tops.  I had access to some nice 2x6 rough cut pine and oak lumber thanks to my brother. 

This first top is made from the pine.  I cut the pine into roughly 2x2 strips and glued them together to create the 17x19 top seen below.  It took a lot of sanding to get it smooth enough to finish.  I then used a 1/4" round over bit in a router to finish the top edge.  I decided to try out some stain I had followed by a tung oil finish.  I am still not sure I like the color of the stain, but once I decide on a base I think it will look nice. 

The next two were built from the 2x6 rough cut oak built in the same fashion.  They still need to be sanded and finished, but will make a nice matching pair of end tables.  I think the color and grain of these will look great once finished.
   

-Charles 

Current and Future Projects.....

Butcher Block Baluster Tables

These tables took shape after my brother brought a butcher block style work table top home from work that would have been thrown away.  It had been well used and was broken it to two pieces and held together with plastic pallet strapping.  The largest piece I used for the coffee table top.  The remaining piece was used for the side table top.  I used four antique balusters found by a friend in a flea market for the coffe table legs.  I was lucky to find four more balusters in a flea market for the side table legs. 

I cut down scrap pieces of 2x4's to use as the table aprons.  The tops were sanded and finished with a tung oil finsh.  Here are a few pictures of the tables as they were being built.  I like the look of the flaky paint on the legs and the weathered, beat up look of the tops after years of use in a factory. 

-Charles

Coffee table, built but unfinished.

End table top

Both tables built before aging the aprons and before finishing the tops.

End table aged and finished

Both tables aged and finished.

2x4 Chairs

I can't take credit for the design of these chairs, I found the idea online.  I did modify the second one I built to add arms.  These were built from scrap 2x4's I had laying around.   I also "salvaged" some 2x4's from dumpsters at new home construction sites in my neighborhood.  I guess I have officially become a dumpster diver!  They turned out to be very sturdy and comfortable.  Perfect for outdoor furniture.

-Charles

  

Warehouse Vent Coffee Table

This is one of the first pieces I made that is acutally being used as furniture in someones home.  I found the top at a local flea market and was told it came out of an old warehouse.  They functioned like attic vents, giving the hot air a place to escape.  I built this for a friend and the base is made from old 4x4 lumber that was laying in the yard when she bought her house.  It was aged to perfection!  I need to get some better pictures of it.  This one was taken before it was finished.  It was sprayed with polyurethane to seal the flaking white paint to the top.  It was a great addition to on an Old Cloverdale home.  I hope she enjoys it for many years to come!

-Charles