The idea of building furniture might give some folks the willies, but if you know what materials to use, the job can be quite simple. This table is a snap to assemble and is a great starter project for those afraid of taking the diy plunge!
Have you ever worked with slotted metal before? They cut with a hack saw, but once assembled with screws they're ready to take on the world. Think of these tables as an erector set of sorts, but with less pieces and easier instructions!
You could use any wood you wish for the top, but in this case a simple sheet of plywood will do. It's been sealed to keep out moisture and give things that urban chic look while sticking to a budget. It's a great project that doesn't even involve a hammer! Check out all the details on making your own over at Lowe's.
Image: Lowe's
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These look good for something so easy - and affordable. I've always thought that if I ever lost everything (like many people have recently in storms or fire) I would try to go with this sort of industrial chic look for a change. Not to mention because it may be the only option I could afford in that case!
So doing this. Right on time AT.
ehh.. the metal stock has "erector set" written all over it.
I agree with @fcresenc, definitely reminds me of an erector set. i love the industrial look but that table is a huge leg scrape waiting to happen...
-Lindsay, indigo-meets-violet.blogspot.com
You could use Plasti Dip and give the metal a nice coat of rubber, adding some color and a bit of scrape protection.
Do not approach wearing tights- pantyhose danger zone!
Shelves, yes. Coffee table, no thanks.
I would make these if I wanted unattractive tables.
Cost estimate: $57 each.
if they were painted black and had more of a smooth finish top with nice wood.. maybe.. but.. these would only work in single's apartment or possibly a couple..
anyone with small kids... these would be very dangerous..
Why on earth you'd make it so that all those raw edges are on the outside is a bit hard to understand.
Put the vertical 'leg' parts on the outside instead of the horizontal ones, then you won't have the upward pointing disaster bits on the outside bottom corners especially. At the top, just make the wood slightly larger than the frame and that will overlap the top metal edges of the legs. Everything will look much cleaner, and any catchy or potentially injurious end bits are tucked inside the cube.
yes they look cheap, but they are! what a nice inexpensive diy project that is easy and approachable. not fo everyone, but definitly perfect for a lot of someones
about the raw edges, i'm sure they can be neatened up a bit by placing the legs as the outermost pieces
i'm thinking you could also add a shelf, or at the very least, another piece of wood on the bottom, to store a couple books or games.
You could do this with higher grade materials for a better (and more authentic) look. My husband made a desk with Unistrut, which has a c-shaped cross-section and thicker gauge metal. It would be a little bit more expensive, I guess. The strut runs $15 for a 10' section at big orange.
The real beauty of this sort of furniture is that you can use unusual materials for the table-top surface. My husband's desktop is the tail section from a F-80.
Ugly table - win. Something I'd want in my domicile - FAIL.
I'd have so many trips to the emergency room for stitches.
Would be ver cool with a Kirei board top:
http://www.ecohaus.com/C-606/kirei
The tools list includes a hacksaw, circular saw, chop saw and a file? I would hardly call that an easy intro to DIY. I made better-looking and far easier flexy shelves with just a cordless drill and a wrench. Home Depot cut the plywood for me.
Hi I love the side table, but does anyone know who makes the sofa in the background? thanks!