Brian Austin

 Overview

• Moved to a new studio apartment, wanted a thin but functional console table to sit behind the couch to be used as a kitchen table as well as a working surface (WFH due to COVID-19)

• Couldn’t find a table that we liked, so I decided to build it myself from a piece of wood and metal table legs

Process

• Found a 52”x10”x1.75” piece of rough cut oak wood with bark edge to be used as the table surface; purchased four 28” metal table legs from a custom vendor with welded mounting brackets for attaching it to the underside of the table

• Glued and sealed several cracks and holes along the length of the wood board using wood glue and furniture clamps

• Cut board to final length and width using table saw to square off all sides

• Sanded most wood surfaces of the wood with belt sander, mouse sander, and sandpaper (up to 400 grit), lightly sanded bark edge by hand to keep rustic finish; this step was repeated again after wiping the surface with a damp cloth to ensure final smooth finish

• Painted 3-5 coats of indoor semi-gloss polypropylene on all surfaces of the board to fill natural knots, ensure waterproof seal, and prevent warping

• Spray painted metal table legs black

• Attached table legs to the underside of the table with wood screws and shimmed as necessary to ensure stable surface