Some wood, a little stain and a lot of patience

So I built a coffee table. Yes, you read that correctly, I built it with my own two hands. I have to say, for being a bit rusty on the powertools, I did a pretty good job. It wasn't as hard as I thought either. Now, that is not to say that it is an award winning table, but it will hold your coffee cups and magazines you never read with at least some style.

These are a couple of photos that I took while in the process of buying my supplies. I started off at Lowes thinking I could find everything I needed in one stop. I was wrong. Surprisingly, they didn't have a lot of what I was looking for. So a second trip was needed to Home Depot.There I found the rest of the supplies, including the table top. (This would be a good time to admit that I bought a pre-manufactured table top. Judge as you wish).

I began cutting and drilling holes and screwing wood screws into the table. I know for future table making, I am going to use thinner joints than I did on this one. (I ended up having to go back and buy longer screws because of it.) I was able to secure the inside boarder using a guiding piece on the inside of the table. That saved me from screwing directly into the table top so many times. I was kind of afraid I was going to pierce through the top! Thankfully, I didn't.

Next, it was time to attach the legs. It involved me drilling holes through the pieces already attached to the table top and through the legs themselves! Well, I am glad this isn't making an entry into a contest because I got a little sloppy. So, note to self - triple check where you are drilling your holes and make sure you are using the correct drilling bit before you make saw dust. But don't worry - you can barely see the holes once I filled them with putty. Now for some stain!

So, because I built this table for a friend of mine, he got to choose the finish! Great choice! Look at how well it stuck to the wood! That is just the undercoat. The photo at the very top is the top look and there is another photo below that shows a close-up of the table top. And look, you can't even tell I drilled holes into the legs!!

Once it warms up, I am going to be building a lot more. Next on my list is a coffee table of my own and a couple of side tables. I am also thinking of making a night stand, but that might have to come much later. Stay tuned!