Piano Lid Coffee Table
This is a coffee table I have built out of a old piano lid that my girlfreind had found.
And these coasters to go with it. https://www.instructables.com/id/Piano-Key-Coasters/
PRICE
Well the piano lid was free. GOOD luck finding one for free, or at all.
Everything els came out to around 70$
2x4 was around $4
Each leg was $2.65
After glue an other stuff it was around $70.
Of course it could be done cheaper though.
And these coasters to go with it. https://www.instructables.com/id/Piano-Key-Coasters/
PRICE
Well the piano lid was free. GOOD luck finding one for free, or at all.
Everything els came out to around 70$
2x4 was around $4
Each leg was $2.65
After glue an other stuff it was around $70.
Of course it could be done cheaper though.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS
Materials
PIANO LID
The hardest thing to get will be of course a piano lid. This one was found in some ones addic and had been there for a long time.
LEGS
I bought these at home depot. For this coffee table I bought 14" high legs.
2X4
I got a cheap 2x4 from Home depot.
LEG MOUNTING PLATES
You can find these right next to the legs in home depot.
CHEMICAL STRIPPER
You may or may not need this. The lid I have had scratches an the clear coat was coming off.
ODDERLESS MINERAL SPIRITS
To clean the stripper off.
RED MHOGONY STAIN
I used this on the leggs for a nice dark stain.
POLYURETHANE GLOSS SEALER
After it is finished you want to us a good Polyurethane sealer to water proof an scratch proof the table.
WOOD GLUE
You probably do not need this.
SCREWS
I am not sure what size screws I used. The mounting plates come with screws but you will also need screws to mount hte supports to the table. I have about a million screws here an just went through them all an used what I needed. I appologize for not having the corrects sizes, but it isn't hard to figuer out.
LIGHT SAND PAPER
Tools
Plastic scraper for stripper
Screw gun
Paint brushes
Saw
Alot of Rags
I think this covers all the Materials an Tools. I am sorry If I missed some thing. This is the first thing I have built out of wood, so terms and perfection isn't my thing. I am new to it. Hopefully I don't get tomany people bashing me about it. I know how there are many perfectionest on here.
PIANO LID
The hardest thing to get will be of course a piano lid. This one was found in some ones addic and had been there for a long time.
LEGS
I bought these at home depot. For this coffee table I bought 14" high legs.
2X4
I got a cheap 2x4 from Home depot.
LEG MOUNTING PLATES
You can find these right next to the legs in home depot.
CHEMICAL STRIPPER
You may or may not need this. The lid I have had scratches an the clear coat was coming off.
ODDERLESS MINERAL SPIRITS
To clean the stripper off.
RED MHOGONY STAIN
I used this on the leggs for a nice dark stain.
POLYURETHANE GLOSS SEALER
After it is finished you want to us a good Polyurethane sealer to water proof an scratch proof the table.
WOOD GLUE
You probably do not need this.
SCREWS
I am not sure what size screws I used. The mounting plates come with screws but you will also need screws to mount hte supports to the table. I have about a million screws here an just went through them all an used what I needed. I appologize for not having the corrects sizes, but it isn't hard to figuer out.
LIGHT SAND PAPER
Tools
Plastic scraper for stripper
Screw gun
Paint brushes
Saw
Alot of Rags
I think this covers all the Materials an Tools. I am sorry If I missed some thing. This is the first thing I have built out of wood, so terms and perfection isn't my thing. I am new to it. Hopefully I don't get tomany people bashing me about it. I know how there are many perfectionest on here.
Cleaning the Piano Lid
I have to clean up the piano lid. You can see that there are scratches an it is in need of refinishing.
I apply the stripper as directed on the can. Put what you plan on using in a metal can, then apply it to the table top and brush it on in the direction of the wood grain. Let it stand for 15 minutes then use the plastic scraper tool in the direction of the wood grain to remove the thicker build up. If you use a metal scraper you may scratch the wood. Once you have the goopy nasty stuff mostly removed then use the mineral spirits to wipe the excess stripper off.
Once this is done check to make sure the wood is stripped to your liking.
I repeated this again after the first time to get every thing off.
Once I did this the second time I then sand the lid with a light grade sand paper an wipped it clean with a damp rag.
I apply the stripper as directed on the can. Put what you plan on using in a metal can, then apply it to the table top and brush it on in the direction of the wood grain. Let it stand for 15 minutes then use the plastic scraper tool in the direction of the wood grain to remove the thicker build up. If you use a metal scraper you may scratch the wood. Once you have the goopy nasty stuff mostly removed then use the mineral spirits to wipe the excess stripper off.
Once this is done check to make sure the wood is stripped to your liking.
I repeated this again after the first time to get every thing off.
Once I did this the second time I then sand the lid with a light grade sand paper an wipped it clean with a damp rag.
Installing the Legs and Supports
I am unsure how to explain myself now. I eye balled most of the cuts an mounting plates.
After preping the lid I began working on the leg supports. I layed down the 2x4 an got a good Idea where I want the legs. You need to keep an eye out on where you put your legs, If you put them to far twards the center the table will lean when to much pressure is applied but this is common since. Just keep it balanced.
I marked my 2x4 an cut it.
Next I round off the sharp edges so there not sharp, this isn't needed but It made me feel better.
I plan on putting my leg mount plates on the ends of the supports.
Now I sand an cleaned up the area witch I plan on putting the supports.
I apply glue to the buttom of the supports, wegih them down untill they dry. Then I run screws into them.
The Mounting Plates
These are simple. Just run the screws down in place.
After preping the lid I began working on the leg supports. I layed down the 2x4 an got a good Idea where I want the legs. You need to keep an eye out on where you put your legs, If you put them to far twards the center the table will lean when to much pressure is applied but this is common since. Just keep it balanced.
I marked my 2x4 an cut it.
Next I round off the sharp edges so there not sharp, this isn't needed but It made me feel better.
I plan on putting my leg mount plates on the ends of the supports.
Now I sand an cleaned up the area witch I plan on putting the supports.
I apply glue to the buttom of the supports, wegih them down untill they dry. Then I run screws into them.
The Mounting Plates
These are simple. Just run the screws down in place.
Staining. Polyurethane
Staining is mainly up to you. I just stained the legs to see what they would look like. My girlfreind is going to finish this table later. She is going to Paint it all black with white notes on it.
But if you were going on.
I stained the legs by adding the stain then wipe it off with a rag untill I got the right color. Let it dry then restain if needed.
Applying the polyurethane
I clean it all up an wipe it down with very light mineral spirits.Then I put the polyurethane on the table, let it stand for 4 hours an re apply. I only add two coats. The stuff I have is glossy to so it adds a nice shine.
But if you were going on.
I stained the legs by adding the stain then wipe it off with a rag untill I got the right color. Let it dry then restain if needed.
Applying the polyurethane
I clean it all up an wipe it down with very light mineral spirits.Then I put the polyurethane on the table, let it stand for 4 hours an re apply. I only add two coats. The stuff I have is glossy to so it adds a nice shine.