Need some help with table build

caliking · October 2017

I've been jonesing to build a table ever since I bought my first egg. Just never got around to it. Was making do (rather well) for the past couple of years with an Ikea Stenstorp kitchen island, but that was never meant to be pressed into service outdoors in Houston. It literally collapsed a few months ago, and is currenlty held together with cargo straps, propped up by a sink and my LBGE cart.

What it used to look like:
STENSTORP Kitchen island IKEA Free-standing kitchen island easy to place where you want it in the kitchen

STENSTORP Kitchen island IKEA Free-standing kitchen island easy to place where you want it in the kitchen

Now:

Particle board and edge-glued wood apparently don't do too well when they meet heat and humidity. But I knew that.

I used to be a moderately accomplished woodworker back in the day. Learned with hand tools only, and could cut all sorts of joints by hand. Built some furniture, but nothing major. All that took a back seat to life, etc. until I figured now was the time to get back into it. Plus, I used some birthday money to buy a miter saw.

Designed a new table like the Ikea one I was using, because I liked the SS shelves and the offset that allows the plumbing for an outdoor sink to tuck in under the table. Took me 4 months to finally order the Western Red Cedar and get cracking. Used a Kreg Jig and made good progress this weekend. Need to add a few more cross bracing pieces. Don't mind the yard... its a wreck like my old table.

Here's what I need some help with:

Casters - likely need heavy duty ones, preferably SS since the table will be outside. Was thinking polyurethane, but apparently the PU part may come off? What about phenolic casters? Source? The legs are 3.5" x 3.5" so I think 4" casters are about as large as I can go.

Finish - A buddy suggested Epifanes marine varnish. I'm leaning towards the regular or matte finish. Not sure if I want the "wet" look from their high gloss finish. Reading through old threads, Sikkens makes marine varnishes as well. Any tips for applying the finish would be appreciated e.g. thin the first coat? number of coats? etc.

Top/surface- Planning on a granite top, with a bar sink dropped in, but I'm open to suggestions. Granite will be HEAVY and pricey, but will tolerate hot grids and stuff, and will last forever. What about HDPE with some kind of granite or tile insert?

Thanks in advance. I'll post pics when its finished and looks prettier

theyolksonyou · October 2017

Not to be an ****, but I hate my table. Cypres and granite. Just changed the castors last week from pneumatic to solid 4" and now rolling in and out of garage. Wish I'd bought a nest. Maybe stainless like Blakey.

510BG · October 2017

I was dying to have a rolling table. Settled for the nest and handler. Couldn't be happier.

caliking · October 2017

theyolksonyou said:

Not to be an ****, but I hate my table. Cypres and granite. Just changed the castors last week from pneumatic to solid 4" and now rolling in and out of garage. Wish I'd bought a nest. Maybe stainless like Blakey.

To clarify, the LBGE will stay in its rolling cart. When the EggCrate falls apart, it'll go in a nest with handler. The table is being built as a work table, and could double as a serving table for gatherings.

Thought about a SS work table, but that spot gets a lot of sun. The SS shelf in the pic was too hot to handle after sitting up on top for an hour or so.

What casters did you opt for?

caliking · October 2017

510BG said:

I was dying to have a rolling table. Settled for the nest and handler. Couldn't be happier.

I hear ya. I'm not a fan of having the egg in a table. Its a fire hazard, plus it cuts down on usable work space up top and storage space below.

theyolksonyou · October 2017

They're actually 5" chemical/water resistant from Home Depot.

caliking · October 2017

Thanks @theyolksonyou. I'll have to check if the plate is bigger than the 3.5"x3.5" legs.

theyolksonyou · October 2017

The swivel is 3.5" square outside to outside. The rigid is 4"X 2" outside to outside. Don't know bolt center to center with table upright.

DoubleEgger · October 2017

My table has been recycled into a rolling work table in the garage. Thanks again for the medium nest @northGAcock

510BG · October 2017

caliking said:

510BG said:

I was dying to have a rolling table. Settled for the nest and handler. Couldn't be happier.

I hear ya. I'm not a fan of having the egg in a table. Its a fire hazard, plus it cuts down on usable work space up top and storage space below.

If I I had the tools and knowledge. I would build one. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see the finished product. Having eggmates is a huge disadvantage. Not much work space and no storage. I use the small tables on my gas grill for extra work space.

NC_Egghead · October 2017

@caliking,
Casters - I found SS casters at castercity.com. They have an entire selection of SS plate style mount. I had to add on to the width of the legs on my table to accommodate the size of plate for the casters I needed but it wasn't too bad and totally worth it. I really don't move my Egg table around much at all but I'm prepared whenever I need to.
Finish - I used Epiphanes on my table as well. It is a long process; I hope you have lots of patience, but it is totally worth it. The directions are on the can for how it needs to be cut. Can't remember exactly but I believe the first coat was 50/50. I used naphtha, which I found at Lowes, for my cut. I put 6 coats on; the first 5 with an hvlp sprayer, the last with a brush. My Egg is covered most of the time but the finish looks almost brand new after 2 years out in the NC humidity.
Top surface - Just go with the granite for the top. You can shop around for a remnant and it's not as expensive as you may think. You'll be glad you did! I posted in the Egg table forum about the construction of my table which goes into a lot more detail.

NPHuskerFL · October 2017

@theyolksonyou Blakey. You're funny Jason.

NPHuskerFL · October 2017

Not sure what size casters I went with. I know they're load rated for well over 1k distributed.

caliking · October 2017

@NC_Egghead i remember your beautiful table, but didn't recall that you were the master behind it. It's a masterpiece! I'm officially embarrassed about my table slapped together with pocket-holes

And thanks for the castercity.com info. I'll give them a call and see what they recommend. It looks like you went with a high gloss finish? Any particular advantage, or just personal choice? I know it will be infuriatingly tedious to apply the finish, so I'm (sort of) ready for that. I'll be applying the finish by hand, since I don't have access to a sprayer. My kid may be in college by the time I'm done (he's 3yo now).

Lastly, it looks like the granite on your table is fully sealed/attached to the table. Any issues with expansion/contraction of the wood over the years?

caliking · October 2017

NPHuskerFL said:

Not sure what size casters I went with. I know they're load rated for well over 1k distributed.

I found alot of heavy duty casters that can bear heavy loads. FL humidity is probably similar to Houston, so have yours held up well?

NPHuskerFL · October 2017

caliking said:

NPHuskerFL said:

Not sure what size casters I went with. I know they're load rated for well over 1k distributed.

I found alot of heavy duty casters that can bear heavy loads. FL humidity is probably similar to Houston, so have yours held up well?

Yup. Sits outdoors in all the weather including to date 4-5 hurricanes + numerous TS and nor'easters and as you mentioned all the regular Florida weather. No issues. I bought these at Tractor Supply if memory serves me well.

NC_Egghead · October 2017

caliking said:

@NC_Egghead i remember your beautiful table, but didn't recall that you were the master behind it. It's a masterpiece! I'm officially embarrassed about my table slapped together with pocket-holes

And thanks for the castercity.com info. I'll give them a call and see what they recommend. It looks like you went with a high gloss finish? Any particular advantage, or just personal choice? I know it will be infuriatingly tedious to apply the finish, so I'm (sort of) ready for that. I'll be applying the finish by hand, since I don't have access to a sprayer. My kid may be in college by the time I'm done (he's 3yo now).

Lastly, it looks like the granite on your table is fully sealed/attached to the table. Any issues with expansion/contraction of the wood over the years?

Your table looks great to me. I really like the species of wood you selected.

The high gloss was just personal choice. That and it was the only option at the West Marine store where I bought it! It is very labor intensive to apply but it sounds like you're not in a hurry which bodes well for your success. The final product will definitely be worth it.

The granite is attached to the table with clear caulk which has a slight amount of give to it. Wood doesn't move as much laterally as it does across the grain so since most of the attachment to the wood is lateral, it's all good. No issues so far...

caliking · October 2017

@NC_Egghead I may get a sprayer so I can finish my table before the kid goes to high school.

Thanks for the helpful tips. Don't be surprised if you find a PM from me bugging you for more

nolaegghead · October 2017

http://www.castercity.com/tips/hollow-kingpin.htm

NC_Egghead · October 2017

caliking said:

@NC_Egghead I may get a sprayer so I can finish my table before the kid goes to high school.

Thanks for the helpful tips. Don't be surprised if you find a PM from me bugging you for more

Glad to help!

NC_Egghead · October 2017

nolaegghead said:

http://www.castercity.com/tips/hollow-kingpin.htm

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Good stuff!!

Need some help with table build

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