Jiffycake

I have designed a nightstand I want to build, in Sketchup. I don't know what material would be best. I want something that is cheap and won't be too heavy which basically rules out mdf. I was thinking about using pine or maple.

View #1 - Wherever there is the triangular bracing a shelf will rest atop of them. The grey top pieces are angle iron which I will weld together at a 45* angle and attach through the top of the legs with screws. The legs which will be 3/4'' pine or maple are butted at a 45* angle and I will glue these together and put screws through the exterior face of the legs and into the triangular braces which will be MDF. I will use 3/4'' MDF for the shelves which will most likely not be removable due to the the bracing

Please give me suggestions. This is far from the final design so any input would be awesome. I don't really want to incorporate the angle steel but I don't know of any better way to have a removalable table top.

Thanks,
Kevin



View #2


View #3

Sabres78

Hi Kevin,

I'm pretty new to woodworking, but I have a thought about your top. Is the top removeable so that you can access the inside through the top, or to be used as some sort of tray? If its the latter, you could build a solid top, then make a false top with a lip around its bottom so it fits over the real top. I don't know if that would work for you or not. I like the look of the piece, open all the way around like that. Will there be supports between all 4 legs, or only on the one side? Good luck with your project.

pickngrin

Yes, why does a nightstand top need to be removable? Angle iron is a bit radical for indoor furnature, fall out of bed on the corner and its going to hurt. Can you grind the edges blut?
also pine is very soft, wont be a good match to iron, so stick with maple, no need to incorporate MDF either, use all maple.

cabinetman

I would prefer to make a wood frame in lieu of metal either 3/4 or 4/4 on edge (if it needs to be thin looking down). I would use something like Maple which could be joined at the corners with the top of the legs making a secure corner. My take on the metal frame being attached at the legs with screws would be not as forgiving as a wood to wood glued joint.

smitty1967

Ditto. I'm no art critic, and I've seen some good uses of wood/metal combos in all types of furniture, but angle iron?

Wrought iron stretchers on a queen headboard are one good example...but angle iron on a nightstand edge? I really have to say this just doesn't seem right, at first impression.

Perhaps you'll build it and take some pictures and prove us all wrong? I always try to keep an open mind to designs.

smitty

mmwood_1

You think maple would hurt less?

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pickngrin

^^Absolutelty! If I had my choice, I'd fall on a piece of maple before a piece of angle iron. I'm a school administrator, most of our classroom furnishings are maple, the maple is finished with no sharp edges, all blunt corners. I was thinking, one cannot roundover, or fashion blunt corners as readily with angle iron. You can certainly break the edges...but not much!

LaurelLaneWoodWorks

Angle iron seems a little extreme to me, unless you are going for the industrial look. As for lumber, if you plan to paint the piece, you could make it out of poplar. Maple is a nice stock for tables and finishes very nicely. Alternatively, pine is nice and is not too expensive, however it's a softwood and is not as durable.