Working Through My DIY Trial-And-Error Process On The Entryway Console Table

With that mentioned, I’m nonetheless engaged on my entryway console. I nonetheless don’t have all of it found out, however what I do know for certain is that I’m going to finish up with a console desk that I like. I received’t cease till I’m there. Y’all know me nicely sufficient to know that by now. And with our present wet climate that stops me from engaged on my outside tasks, that is the right time for me to have enjoyable with this mission till I get it proper.

First, let me handle one factor from my final publish about this console desk. I discussed in that publish that the person on the Benjamin Moore retailer had instructed me to wipe down all the factor with acetone after which attempt the gel stain. After which I discussed that I skipped that step. I’ve by no means seen such a backlash in my feedback over one in every of my selections earlier than. Heck, I even received one “disgrace on you”. 😀

Nicely, the rationale I didn’t use acetone is as a result of I didn’t suppose it was wanted. He was recommending that with out having ever seen my console desk. And once I instructed him it was waxed, I believe he most likely pictured one thing in his thoughts just like the items which can be offered at resale shops the place folks purchase outdated furnishings, paint and wax them in a short time, after which resell them at a revenue. Most of these DIYers flip these items out in a short time with the intention to make as a lot revenue as attainable. I’ve been in these shops. I’ve seen these items. I’ve felt these items with all of that waxy buildup the place I’ve thought to myself, “Did you even buff this factor?” You may actually run your fingernail over these items and get wax underneath your fingernail.

My console desk wasn’t like that. Not solely is it an older piece that has been cleaned many instances through the years, which removes a little bit of wax every time, however I buffed the heck out of it once I waxed it. So I knew that it didn’t have a lot wax on it to start with. The colour that was creating the issue wasn’t coming from the wax. The orange shade was coming from the stain that I used earlier than I waxed it. It’s the stain that’s the issue, not the wax.

However to fulfill the curiosity of those that puzzled if it’d make a distinction, right here’s a drawer (the one which’s lacking the trim) earlier than utilizing acetone…

And right here it’s after utilizing acetone. There’s actually no distinction within the shade, and it didn’t make any distinction in how the drawer entrance felt to the contact. There was no distinction in sheen. There was no distinction in any respect. However this splotchy shade from the wooden stain is what causes the issue. And for the reason that wooden underneath that stain isn’t fairly to start with, there’s now method I’m going to waste time stripping the entire thing.

The person at Benjamin Moore didn’t advocate acetone to assist with the colour problem. He beneficial it as a result of he thought it is likely to be wanted to take away any buildup of wax to assist with adhesion. However adhesion wasn’t a problem as a result of there was so little wax left at this level. All that to say that no, it wouldn’t have made a distinction within the consequence. And no, I don’t really feel any disgrace for skipping that step. 😀 The folks in these shops are very educated, they usually’re there to provide normal recommendation. However he didn’t benefit from truly seeing and feeling the piece that I’m engaged on. I had that profit since I constructed the factor from scratch, I’ve made each change to it with my very own arms, and I stay with it in my house each day.

Okay, transferring on. After studying your whole feedback concerning the proposed new base for the console desk, which regarded like this in my very fast mockup…

…a number of folks mentioned they like the turned legs. And y’all know the way I really feel about turned wooden legs. I like turned wooden legs and need them on all the pieces, if attainable! And somebody included a hyperlink to this sideboard from Wayfair (affiliate hyperlink). So I made a decision to see if I may make this work.

As a way to try this, I’d want so as to add wooden blocks to the turned legs to have a spot to connect these stretchers. (I’m unsure if that’s what they’re known as, however I name them stretchers — the items that connect the legs collectively and provides them stability.) Due to the way in which I had constructed the unique console desk with the turned legs and the shelf, these legs have been already in two separate items, giving me the right place so as to add a block.

So I made blocks out of two″ x 2″ lumber, gluing and nailing them collectively. I didn’t trouble wooden filling and sanding them at this level as a result of I simply wished to see if I favored the concept. And I additionally didn’t take the time to sand down the corners to spherical them off at this level to make them appear like the inspiration image.

With one of many blocks made, I examined out the concept. I initially favored it. I knew I may make it work if I went this course.

However with the intention to account for the extra top of the block, I must lower off the equal top from the highest of the legs. And that’s what gave me pause.

I don’t actually have a great way to chop off turned legs and make it possible for they’re completely straight and easy on prime. These legs had already been lower off on the prime, they usually actually weren’t lower straight. The factor that was giving the console desk a lot stability was the shelf. The one method I’ve lower down turned legs prior to now (and the way in which I initially lower these down years in the past) is with my miter noticed however getting that prime completely straight is a problem. I’d even say it’s unimaginable when attempting to chop a leg that’s already turned. And actually, I didn’t wish to lower extra of the turned design off of the legs.

So I glued and nailed the 2 items of every leg again collectively, similar to that they had been years in the past earlier than I ever lower them aside for the unique console desk design. And I used wooden filler the place the 2 items met.

However as I used to be ready for the wooden filler to dry in order that I may sand them, I couldn’t, for the lifetime of me, determine easy methods to connect these in a method that they’d be completely straight and regular. I don’t know if you happen to can inform from the image above, however as a result of these have been lower so many instances prior to now, they’re already barely totally different heights. Plus, most legs like which have a block on the prime that’s built-in into the construct of the physique of the console desk. You may see that on the World Market sideboard instance. That block on the prime of the legs is built-in into the underside building of the physique of the sideboard.

These legs didn’t have a block on the prime. And even when they did, integrating it into the physique of the console desk would imply I’d just about should rebuild it, and I’m not prepared to do this.

So the legs would principally should be caught to the underside of the already-built physique of the console desk, and I simply can’t determine a method to do this in a method that they’d be steady sufficient to carry that entire higher part securely sufficient in order that I wouldn’t maintain my breath and really feel anxious each time somebody received too near it, touched it, and even worse, leaned on it.