Project Information
Last month I was blessed to be able to serve my parents for three weeks while Mom recuperated from a broken clavicle and leg. During that time, my brother's health continued to decline. I had seen a tray table which I thought that he might be able to use, so when I returned home I drew up a SketchUp plan. Once I had the table for Mom nearly complete, I began his table.
I wanted to keep the table lightweight, so I used some poplar (bigtooth/sawtooth aspen) milled off our property. I didn't take as much time as I should have to find clear boards which would be sufficient to cut the top in a continuous grain ;-(.
While I was working on it, I emailed a friend and she asked what verse I would be engraving on it. Why hadn't I thought of that? I added Romans 8:28 which has always been a comfort to me, knowing that God is in control, desiring the best for His children, even when we don't understand what is happening and why.
It was much easier woodburning the lettering in the poplar than in the lauan plywood drawer bottom. I wanted to add a little color and had to do some experimenting to get a somewhat transparent color. I stained and varnished the top first, then added the color, and last sprayed several clear coats.
I didn't know what I would use to hold up the top. I didn't think a clothes hanger would be heavy enough. As I looked around the shop, I saw a metal piece I had removed from a portable heater (yes, I know, you're saying, "What a pack-rat!"). It was exactly the correct size and I just had to straighten out a bend in either end of it. God is good!
The legs were made to swivel on short pieces of metal (sawed off from a 10-penny nail). (I forgot to take a picture of the table in the closed position before I gave it to my brother.)
I was able to finish this table, as well as Mom's, in about two weeks, which is really quick work for such an old lady! At least my husband was impressed with my speed!
Thanks for taking a look.
UPDATE: I have posted a blog with measured drawings and instructions for construction.
L/W
I wanted to keep the table lightweight, so I used some poplar (bigtooth/sawtooth aspen) milled off our property. I didn't take as much time as I should have to find clear boards which would be sufficient to cut the top in a continuous grain ;-(.
While I was working on it, I emailed a friend and she asked what verse I would be engraving on it. Why hadn't I thought of that? I added Romans 8:28 which has always been a comfort to me, knowing that God is in control, desiring the best for His children, even when we don't understand what is happening and why.
It was much easier woodburning the lettering in the poplar than in the lauan plywood drawer bottom. I wanted to add a little color and had to do some experimenting to get a somewhat transparent color. I stained and varnished the top first, then added the color, and last sprayed several clear coats.
I didn't know what I would use to hold up the top. I didn't think a clothes hanger would be heavy enough. As I looked around the shop, I saw a metal piece I had removed from a portable heater (yes, I know, you're saying, "What a pack-rat!"). It was exactly the correct size and I just had to straighten out a bend in either end of it. God is good!
The legs were made to swivel on short pieces of metal (sawed off from a 10-penny nail). (I forgot to take a picture of the table in the closed position before I gave it to my brother.)
I was able to finish this table, as well as Mom's, in about two weeks, which is really quick work for such an old lady! At least my husband was impressed with my speed!
Thanks for taking a look.
UPDATE: I have posted a blog with measured drawings and instructions for construction.
L/W