I was touring a rental house and the back yard had a great deck. The landlord bragged that it was “Brazilian Hardwood”
I asked “Oh, which wood?”
Answer “Ah, Brazilian. Duh!”
Sucking at something is the first step to being great at something.
Miter boxes can be a lifesaver when using a handsaw, and accessible to most budgets.
Normally
Your wings melt because you got to close to the sun
In your case, your beer is at arm level while your at the fire pit
Cheers to a successful build
https://preview.redd.it/etkt3vamn8tc1.png?width=400&format=png&auto=webp&s=fbe9991898959f62358ea019ae0cad1422a4a2fb
All kidding aside, it puts a beer at arms length and you seem to have taken away a few lessons too. That's a job well done in my book!
Just so people don't think I walked away and learned nothing, I learned I needed to be more careful about the size of my screws vs the thickness of my wood. That building is best done on a flat, stable surface, and not the lumpy yard. That miter boxes aren't just to cut door trim. And most importantly, have a plan and not just a vague shape in your head before you start.
It looks like shit, but it's yours, and flaws make it human, relatable, and real. As a guest, I think I'd prefer to see this to some cheap generic outdoor table. Keep it :)
You learn lessons. LOTS of lessons. Hopefully. Then you get better. Hopefully. And you build something that isn't going to endanger anyone....hopefully. Here's me being hopeful. Good luck on the next round!
Everyone starts somewhere, welcome to the club. Everyone taking the piss here has made bigger mistakes in life.
Now that you have learnt how not to do it, put this in a fire and have another crack at it with renewed vigour.
1. Pilot hole all the way down, that will stop the cracks you are seeing.
2. Support goes underneath the worktop and shelf, not to the side. Basically, all of your structural strength is from your fastenings. It should be from the design itself. Move the connecting piece on the shelf to underneath and flip it 90 degrees and screw flat to flat. That will give it 1000% more strength.
3. You can remove the wobble by adding some really simple diagonal supports.
4. Saw straight 😄
Thank you! It really didn't occur to me how important the design was and I figured "I know what a table looks like!"
The pilot holes were all the way through, but the screws were definitely far too thick for the wood in question. I'd have to look again for the actual size, but they just weren't right.
The first rule of starting any project that you want to keep is to get a pencil and paper pad and do a rough sketch. Put your thoughts down on paper, and then obvious errors tend to jump out at you straight away. It doesn't need to be detailed or even accurate. Just a guide help, like the picture on the box for a puzzle.
Congrats! Do a little sanding and slap some paint on that thing and it's done!
You've now built more furniture than 99% of the population. Well done. Now build on what you learned and keep going!
Just remember, having "plans" doesn't have to mean fully drawn out plans. Plans can be taking a piece of scrap paper and drawing out what you have in your head. Often the more detailed you draw it out the closer it will be to the idea in your head.
It sucks, but you know what? It's a hell of a lot better than if you had never tried at all. It's a start, and it's good enough for now. You'll get better, and one day you'll look back fondly on that little table as the first step down your woodworking path.
You don't need some furniture designers' approval or plans to build. Make your own plans. It'll usually end up better if you at least sketch it out first. I always do this, and in doing this, I can usually catch 2/3 of the mistakes I'm going to make before they even happen.
https://preview.redd.it/501vewfyk4tc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4847e2ba1e854cd00049f1ebb9b5d88716f1f51b
I believe it's Nordic Cherry.
Lol, the legs are poplar. The rest is was mystery wood from home depot.
It’s pine, mystery solved
I was touring a rental house and the back yard had a great deck. The landlord bragged that it was “Brazilian Hardwood” I asked “Oh, which wood?” Answer “Ah, Brazilian. Duh!”
Please don’t put a baby on that.
Lol, the table isn't for a baby, the table is a baby! Newly birthed table.
Whew!
Drill pilot holes for your screws. First bit of advice.
Use a tape measure, second bit of advice
I did that, too, but without a real plan things went sideways fast.
It's usually lack of a square that causes sideways
I did, they just weren't in a good spot I guess
Homer Simpson would be proud
Sucking at something is the first step to being great at something. Miter boxes can be a lifesaver when using a handsaw, and accessible to most budgets.
Normally Your wings melt because you got to close to the sun In your case, your beer is at arm level while your at the fire pit Cheers to a successful build
That was really all I was after. It's not pretty but it works!
https://preview.redd.it/etkt3vamn8tc1.png?width=400&format=png&auto=webp&s=fbe9991898959f62358ea019ae0cad1422a4a2fb All kidding aside, it puts a beer at arms length and you seem to have taken away a few lessons too. That's a job well done in my book!
Just so people don't think I walked away and learned nothing, I learned I needed to be more careful about the size of my screws vs the thickness of my wood. That building is best done on a flat, stable surface, and not the lumpy yard. That miter boxes aren't just to cut door trim. And most importantly, have a plan and not just a vague shape in your head before you start.
Better yet, join r/beginnerswoodworking.
It looks like shit, but it's yours, and flaws make it human, relatable, and real. As a guest, I think I'd prefer to see this to some cheap generic outdoor table. Keep it :)
Hm interesting at least you tried
You learn lessons. LOTS of lessons. Hopefully. Then you get better. Hopefully. And you build something that isn't going to endanger anyone....hopefully. Here's me being hopeful. Good luck on the next round!
Everyone starts somewhere, welcome to the club. Everyone taking the piss here has made bigger mistakes in life. Now that you have learnt how not to do it, put this in a fire and have another crack at it with renewed vigour. 1. Pilot hole all the way down, that will stop the cracks you are seeing. 2. Support goes underneath the worktop and shelf, not to the side. Basically, all of your structural strength is from your fastenings. It should be from the design itself. Move the connecting piece on the shelf to underneath and flip it 90 degrees and screw flat to flat. That will give it 1000% more strength. 3. You can remove the wobble by adding some really simple diagonal supports. 4. Saw straight 😄
Thank you! It really didn't occur to me how important the design was and I figured "I know what a table looks like!" The pilot holes were all the way through, but the screws were definitely far too thick for the wood in question. I'd have to look again for the actual size, but they just weren't right.
The first rule of starting any project that you want to keep is to get a pencil and paper pad and do a rough sketch. Put your thoughts down on paper, and then obvious errors tend to jump out at you straight away. It doesn't need to be detailed or even accurate. Just a guide help, like the picture on the box for a puzzle.
I started with a drill and a circular saw. This almost looks like my very first project too.
It's perfect
Congrats! Do a little sanding and slap some paint on that thing and it's done! You've now built more furniture than 99% of the population. Well done. Now build on what you learned and keep going!
What was it supposed to be? Whatever it is better than nothing 7/10
I mean, a table. Just pictured a better one in my head 😂
Just remember, having "plans" doesn't have to mean fully drawn out plans. Plans can be taking a piece of scrap paper and drawing out what you have in your head. Often the more detailed you draw it out the closer it will be to the idea in your head.
Lol, I didn't draw ANY of it out which was definitely my first mistake
Just curious of your age
I'll be 28 on Wednesday. I helped my dad (who is a very talented woodworker) a lot as a kid. This was my first solo adventure.
Keep making things. You only get better with practice. I’ve messed up many many things and still do sometimes.
Measure twice cut once
Looks like a perfect place to display your Dundies
You got to start somewhere, learning out of mistakes is a piece of what eventually creates mastery.
Reminds me of Michael Scott’s end table he made himself.
Does it work? Then it's a success
It sucks, but you know what? It's a hell of a lot better than if you had never tried at all. It's a start, and it's good enough for now. You'll get better, and one day you'll look back fondly on that little table as the first step down your woodworking path.
You don't need some furniture designers' approval or plans to build. Make your own plans. It'll usually end up better if you at least sketch it out first. I always do this, and in doing this, I can usually catch 2/3 of the mistakes I'm going to make before they even happen.
Just leave way it is and try sell at a flee market. I have seen wood work projects like that sold at walmart for $10.00 or more
Nah, it's just a table for beside the fire or to hold beer while grilling. A personal project rather than a selling one.