JayWC Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 I recently started and am almost finished with a small picnic table for my little one. It was one I picked up free from craigslist that was falling apart and had graying wood due to weathering. I supposed it's a reclaimed wood project. We have taken it apart, sanded, rounded over the edges, chamfered the ends, drilled pocket holes, stained and are beginning reassembly. In hindsight I probably could have almost bought new wood, but...it's about the journey and shop time with my little one right? I'm posting it only as inspiration for spending time with our little ones because it's definitely not an example of great woodworking. My daughter is 3 years old and been helping me work on her 'new' little picnic table. She tells complete strangers how she "loves" her new table. Shop time can be frustrating with a 3 year old running around and learning safety, but the joys far outweigh the headaches. She sees tools in the store and either knows what they are or 'wants' one. Makes me smile deep down. Wood - a few bucks to drive and get it. New bolts/nuts/washers - a few bucks Hearing my daughter tell people about her table while beaming - priceless You may notice the hole in the middle of the table top for an umbrella. A few years back I built a 4x8 sandbox for my daughter. I provided 6 holes for an umbrella since we have 3 so we can adjust where the shade is over the box to avoid little one getting a sun burn. My wife asked if I could do a similar concept on the table. I didn't want to make the table ugly with a lot of holes in the top so I made the slide out blocks you can see in one of the pics. I am going to mount them under the table top on the ends and surprise my wife when I get the table home from the shop. We will have the flexibility to put the umbrellas in multiple positions without the ugly. I think when it needs stain in a few years I am also going to putty the old nail holes on the top. I wish I had done that before staining this time too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Bennett Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 I recently started and am almost finished with a small picnic table for my little one. It was one I picked up free from craigslist that was falling apart and had graying wood due to weathering. I supposed it's a reclaimed wood project. We have taken it apart, sanded, rounded over the edges, chamfered the ends, drilled pocket holes, stained and are beginning reassembly. In hindsight I probably could have almost bought new wood, but...it's about the journey and shop time with my little one right? I'm posting it only as inspiration for spending time with our little ones because it's definitely not an example of great woodworking. My daughter is 3 years old and been helping me work on her 'new' little picnic table. She tells complete strangers how she "loves" her new table. Shop time can be frustrating with a 3 year old running around and learning safety, but the joys far outweigh the headaches. She sees tools in the store and either knows what they are or 'wants' one. Makes me smile deep down. Wood - a few bucks to drive and get it. New bolts/nuts/washers - a few bucks Hearing my daughter tell people about her table while beaming - priceless You may notice the hole in the middle of the table top for an umbrella. A few years back I built a 4x8 sandbox for my daughter. I provided 6 holes for an umbrella since we have 3 so we can adjust where the shade is over the box to avoid little one getting a sun burn. My wife asked if I could do a similar concept on the table. I didn't want to make the table ugly with a lot of holes in the top so I made the slide out blocks you can see in one of the pics. I am going to mount them under the table top on the ends and surprise my wife when I get the table home from the shop. We will have the flexibility to put the umbrellas in multiple positions without the ugly. I think when it needs stain in a few years I am also going to putty the old nail holes on the top. I wish I had done that before staining this time too. My only comment is I hope you are going to trim the bolts and smooth them with a file. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWC Posted March 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 My only comment is I hope you are going to trim the bolts and smooth them with a file. That's actually on my to do list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWC Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Done! 1 and 2 show the typical umbrella. 3 shows the slide out umbrella holder blocks in use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Bennett Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Done! 1 and 2 show the typical umbrella. 3 shows the slide out umbrella holder blocks in use. Don't you just love happy ladies. Tell your little lady I love the boots, and the table ain't half bad either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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