Materials: Expedit (3 each of 2x2), casters (4 or 5), two sheets of plywood, screws, wood joiner, L-brackets
Description: 1. Prep the plywood first, according to instructions because the drying time can be long. I used stain + lacquer and it took 2-3 days total with drying time. And I only did the parts that will be visible when assembled.
2. Assemble the Expedits according to instructions.
3. Attach the casters to the 31x46.5 plywood. I used 5 casters: one at each corner and one in the middle. My plywood bows a little, but the weight of the bookcases flattens it. (OPTIONAL: Glue/screw/nail the plywood squares at the caster locations. This will raise the table by the thickness of the plywood (mine is 5/8").). Now you have the base.
4. Place the Expedits on to the base. Two back-to-back, and one at the end. Try to make everything fit as nicely as possible. Mine didn't fit perfectly square (I blame it on Ikea engineering), but close enough that it doesn't bother me. (OPTIONAL: Glue down the Expedits to the base so they don't shift. I skipped this part, because I thought they were heavy enough to resist shifting and I want to be able to disassemble the unit to get it of the room. Just in case. Otherwise, the only way out would be through the window, and that thing is heavy.)
5. Use wood joiners to attach the Expedits to each other. I used 6 total although more won't hurt.
6. Attach the top plywood to the Expedits using L-brackets. I used 6... 3 each at the long side.
See more of the Expedit cutting table.
~ rita
I want one! Great job!
ReplyDeleteA question from someone obviously unskilled, What did you mean by wood joiners - those biscuit things? Some of us need a lot of guidance. Thanks
ReplyDeleteCheryl
I love this project. Definitely something I could use in my workshop!
ReplyDeleteVery useful idea! Good job. Going to keep this in mind for this coming year.
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm the maker of the cutting table. Anonymous #1: wood joiner is a small metal hardware, about 1/2" by 1", with spikes, that you tap or hammer onto two pieces of wood to join them side by side. If you do an image search for "wood joiner" you might be able to see what it looks like. Hope this helps
ReplyDeleteThanks, littlecottondresses, for a brilliant idea! I'm contemplating using only 2 expedits, and another 'open' shelf to give me legroom to sit w chair. This might work better for me, since I'm more into crafting/decoupage than sewing.
ReplyDeleteLove the combination of the white with the stained wood!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for posting this - it inspired my own craft table: http://mama.ie/building-a-craft-table/
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely on my list of 'to-dos' when I get moved into our new house!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! And I have some old wood flooring from Lumber Liquidators that I plan to use for the top of mine!
Thank you!!!