Home DIY

I think I put about 40 hours into mine, start to finish.

At the moment it's just a hole that's good for exploring toddlers to climb into but little else.

Won't somebody think of the children?

"L hook" worked for me.

Was going to tear it out but now I'll make it a feature wall.

Next question, anyone recessed a socket backbox in a lath and plaster wall? Any tricks or suggestions most welcome.

@Hovis I did quite a few of these in my old flat and had some varying levels of success. Using the blue spring action lugs I found better than the standard yellow lugs. This guys explains it well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaSWNftCEc0

Thanks, thats really useful, will pick up one of those Centaur boxes from CEF and see what happens.

We started a Soul style table and quickly realised we didn't have the patience. Came out OK I think

*work shed, I'm not that much of a mess

1 Attachment

I think that looks great!

How are you sealing it?

Thanks! Used a satin varnish in the end which I regret a little, it didn't really take it up very well. Used briwax for the holes which worked nicely

Nice table top!

Could also epoxy something like that too.

The frame they're using is just 3 sheets glued together right? So some glue and a load of clamps? Not sure if that's a composite image rather than a photo so can't tell - but basically if I wanted solid legs like that rather than metal trestle, what would be my best bet?

Tempted to get this madeinply bunch to do the surface as (I hope) they'd do it to a higher standard than I could. But not sure about legs.

https://madeinply.co.uk/collections/custom-desks/products/custom-plywood-desk-with-solid-frame?material_desktop=Natural%20Plywood&material_legs=Natural%20Plywood&thickness=18&width=1200&depth=600&height=710&feet_style=Adjustable%20Feet

I'm not massively happy with the satin finish on mine either. Brush applied, three coats w/ sanding in between.

Still planning to sand mine back, address two gaps I missed and use my spray gun to see if that applies the varnish more evenly. Spring job though.

Yup - that's just three pieces of ply glue together.

Big challenge is having enough clamps and glue coverage to fully join the pieces then a large enough saw to trim the edges square.

Other than that, it's super easy construction.

Looks like 5-6 layers of 18mm birch ply too me although hard to tell. As you say lots of glue lots of clamps, hopefully some joinery for the joints.

If I were making it I'd glue the legs up oversized all together with some parallel clamps, and then rip to final size on the table saw. You could get clever with the laminations to premake the mortice and tenons as part of the laminations.

Laminating ply is much easier than solid wood and much less likely to end up with a pringle (in my limited experience). I would cut and glue pieces that were slightly over sized then use a sharp plane to square up/bring to size. The end result is a near uniform single piece of ply, and very satisfying. Also helps to buy the best quality Baltic Birch ply you can afford.

having enough clamps

This is a fallacy, you will never have enough clamps.

This is true.

I've taken to buying a clamp every time I set foot in a DIY shop, whether I'm in there for one or not.

Still not got enough.

Not every finish allows it of course but I find that using a cloth for application always works better than brushing. It means a lot more coats because of the thinness, and also more control for the same reason.
I’ve no experience using a spray gun for this kind of thing.

I've tried a cloth before but didn't think the finish was that great - as you say; could be the varnish / cloth or my poor technique.

I'm going to do a couple of test pieces with the sprayer before I start prepping the desk top though.

Won't be doing anything until the temperature hits at least double digits.

Last order, thought I needed two, bought 6, still found myself thinking more would have been handy.

I saw someone on YT using a special glove rather than a cloth to apply finish. Almost as good as the ice cream glove.

(If anyone knows what kind of glove I can use to do this let me know - I get pain in my hands when applying finish with a cloth.)

6.36 in this vid
https://youtu.be/F6p_BNwmWB0?t=396

I would like 2 internal birch plywood doors, similar to something I saw https://www.instagram.com/p/CI0fauBs1MP/ the doors are unusual sizes 670x1800 and 710x1825. I think there are a few options

1) cut doors from 18mm sheets. They would be quite thin for a door so I would have to work something out with the hinges.
2) make a hollow sandwich with ply on either side and a ply rim around the door
3) buy a custom-sized door which I get (or try myself) veneered in birch.

No idea what glove it is but his YT channel is a straight rip from Kobeomsuk

Still earned a follow though - always love watching proper craftsman.