First, I began by ripping 2x6's in half and cutting off all the rounded corners, then planing them flat.
Step 2
Then I began gluing up the two slabs and clamping them till the glue dried.
Step 3
While the slabs dried, I began working on the metal base. I cut the pieces to length using a metal cutting blade in my reciprocating saw.
Step 4
I used the slabs to clamp the metal pieces to and tack weld everything together so I would have a perfect fit. Then I removed the metal from the wooden slabs and complete a full weld along the whole seam. This way I wouldn't burn the wood.
Step 5
With everything welded together, I ground the welds smooth. I wanted a seamless look, so sometimes I'd have to go back and forth between welding and grinding till everything was smooth and flat.
Step 6
Next, I cut pieces to length that would be supporting the slabs and drilled a few holes in each of them.
Step 7
Then, using the slabs to get perfect spacing, I welded those supports in place.
Step 8
After grinding everything smooth, I applied 3-4 coats of Rust-oleum flat black spray paint.
Step 9
After sanding the wooden planks smooth, I applied pre-stain wood conditioner to the planks before staining them - hence the name :)
Step 10
Then, I applied a dark walnut stain to the planks.
Step 11
Once the planks were stained, I applied a few coats of clear satin wipe-on poly, sanding lightly with 220 grit paper between coats.
Step 12
Once all the paint and finish was dried, I began assembly. I installed the legs by sliding them onto the wooden planks and then using a bolt and hammer to make an impression on the wood.
Step 13
The bolt impressions told me where to drill the holes for the threaded inserts I used.
Step 13
Then I simply tightened the bolts and this project was complete!
Check out the build plans if you want to make a coffee table like this for yourself - links are at the top of the page or below! Thanks!