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Posted: 11/10/2019 6:47:39 PM EDT
Anyone try building furniture from dimension lumber, 2x4, 2x3, 1x4, etc. This is amateur work, as I am not a carpenter.
This storage bench coincidentally will store 2 stacked rows of .50 cal ammo cans, most likely about 12 cans. 
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Posted: 11/10/2019 6:49:05 PM EDT
[#1]
Tell me about your lumber, jack, are you okay?
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Posted: 11/10/2019 6:51:44 PM EDT
[#2]
I build stuff all of the time with cheap doug fir from the lumber yard.
My wife wanted something built that looked like this $1,400 coffee table she had found. A weekend worth of screwing 2x6 together with a little paint and stain, done! For less than $200. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 6:52:26 PM EDT
[#3]
Yes, before I had the equipment to work with rough lumber, I used nothing but dimensional lumber and plywood. 2x isn't great because it's usually far too wet and/or warped to really be useful.
What is your question? |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:01:42 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I build stuff all of the time with cheap doug fir from the lumber yard. My wife wanted something built that looked like this $1,400 coffee table she had found. A weekend worth of screwing 2x6 together with a little paint and stain, done! For less than $200. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:08:30 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Anyone try building furniture from dimension lumber, 2x4, 2x3, 1x4, etc. This is amateur work, as I am not a carpenter. This storage bench coincidentally will store 2 stacked rows of .50 cal ammo cans, most likely about 12 cans. https://i.imgur.com/ZT602I8.jpg |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:09:44 PM EDT
[#6]
Yes, nothing wrong with plain old lumber to build stuff that will come out nice. You just need to know what to buy, how to finish it and how to make cheap lumber come out looking high end. I have built a ton of custom built in shelving using nothing more than 2x4's and oak plywood. Finished with thin strips of solid oak on the plywood edges and a nice stain and finish. Biggest thing is a quick sanding will do wonders. And remove the stamped markings...
This is an example of my dining room table I built with 4x4 cedar from lowes for the frame. The pieces for the top I did have to source special at a local cedar mill that had the large pieces I wanted and they were rough cut and live edge so I had to hand rip them all down with a skilsaw. 
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:13:08 PM EDT
[#7]
Dimensional lumber furniture is usually way too heavy and typically clumsy looking.
OP, how much did the lumber cost for that? Might have scored something quite excellent for less cost by searching craigslist. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:27:08 PM EDT
[#8]
We do a bunch of stuff with Kreg Jig, it comes out really nice.
We often use Anna White plans. https://www.kregtool.com/get-inspired/project-ideas.aspx |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:29:02 PM EDT
[#9]
I made this desk out of 2X6's and 2X4's
Glues and screwed as much as I could. I used dowels and glue to put the desk top together. It cam out pretty good for an amateur with a skill saw, block plane and simple tools. Lots of sanding too! 
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:32:18 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Dimensional lumber furniture is usually way too heavy and typically clumsy looking. OP, how much did the lumber cost for that? Might have scored something quite excellent for less cost by searching craigslist. On craigslist, I would have to ask the seller how many ammo cans fit inside. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:33:26 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
pics ? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I build stuff all of the time with cheap doug fir from the lumber yard. My wife wanted something built like this $1,400 coffee table she had found. A weekend worth of screwing 2x6 together with a little paint and stain, done! For less than $200.  Living room addition I finished three years ago. Attached FileLook at the prices on these... 
 Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:40:13 PM EDT
[#12]
If you're in the NW, or possibly any area in the US, watch for older homes that are being demoed. The framing lumber that's old growth is like a completely species. I save any I run across and use it for furniture or built in's.
Otherwise get a small stock pile and let it air dry for as long as you can. Used some 4x4's for bench legs once and they bled sap for a year after finishing. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:41:53 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I built the Coffee table and entertainment center in the corner are with cheap Doug fir and pine... full disclosure, I built the entire room too. Living room addition I finished three years ago.https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/158348/D30D97B6-1860-4E8F-9E48-AE1647B3D5A5_jpeg-1156543.JPG Look at the prices on these...
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/158348/00CEEC66-FFD1-4F44-A53D-1E1A6CE68301_jpeg-1156547.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/158348/2E0843B6-395B-442E-9436-06C3E8924328_jpeg-1156549.JPG |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:44:17 PM EDT
[#14]
3/4" flooring could have been used for that table top and could have avoided all that cutting and fastening. Need more strength to stack ammo? Use two sheets of flooring.
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:44:28 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If you're in the NW, or possibly any area in the US, watch for older homes that are being demoed. The framing lumber that's old growth is like a completely species. I save any I run across and use it for furniture or built in's. Otherwise get a small stock pile and let it air dry for as long as you can. Used some 4x4's for bench legs once and they bled sap for a year after finishing. I basically paid a guy to do it with all the lumber from the barn as payment. The floor joists alone were 32 feet long 4 X 6's ...all one straight piece....about 40 of them total! |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:53:15 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nice clone of that. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted: I built the Coffee table and entertainment center in the corner are with cheap Doug fir and pine... full disclosure, I built the entire room too. Living room addition I finished three years ago.https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/158348/D30D97B6-1860-4E8F-9E48-AE1647B3D5A5_jpeg-1156543.JPG Look at the prices on these...
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/158348/00CEEC66-FFD1-4F44-A53D-1E1A6CE68301_jpeg-1156547.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/158348/2E0843B6-395B-442E-9436-06C3E8924328_jpeg-1156549.JPG |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 7:59:31 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yah. Thanks. And the coffee table is sturdy and cheap enough to blast hip hop on the stereo and let four tipsy women including your SIL and wife and their girlfriends dance on it in heals without having to worry about the construction of the table or finish being damaged... Just saying. 
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:06:33 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Didn't track it too close. The top was (6) 2x3 cut in half and glued. 4 more for support. (1) 2X4 for legs, (3) 1x4 slats and a piece of plywood supporting the front face. It's 3 sides and no floor. So don't need to worry about weight bearing internals. The top is about 20 lbs and the frame is about 30 lbs. Total is about $35-40 including screws and poly urethane finish. On craigslist, I would have to ask the seller how many ammo cans fit inside. Here is a two-drawer coffee table that fits quadrant sized maps. Curios drawer on top, map drawer below.  Attached FileOutdoor bar made from scrap.  Attached File |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:13:58 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've done similar many times. Here is a two-drawer coffee table that fits quadrant sized maps. Curios drawer on top, map drawer below. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/217005/Map_Table_jpg-1156579.JPG Outdoor bar made from scrap. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/217005/Outdoor_Bar_jpg-1156582.JPG |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:15:09 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Any more pics? I bet it would hold a big block, or two, too.. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:16:31 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This is good advice, I tore down my 1880ish barn a few years ago. I basically paid a guy to do it with all the lumber from the barn as payment. The floor joists alone were 32 feet long 4 X 6's ...all one straight piece....about 40 of them total! Some of the ceiling beams were crazy in length like you describe your floor joists. Can't get wood like that any more. The guy said eventually half was sold to a lodge out west, and half to a very nice new home down in Southern Mass. It was a lot of manual labor on his part, and some of it pretty risky, but I'm sure he made out well in the end. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:20:09 PM EDT
[#22]
I bought a Cutech jointer and plainer to fix those cheap boards.
Built this from rough cut redwood from Home Depot. 
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:30:08 PM EDT
[#23]
All of this was built entirely from stuff purchased from Home Depot. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:32:45 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yes, nothing wrong with plain old lumber to build stuff that will come out nice. You just need to know what to buy, how to finish it and how to make cheap lumber come out looking high end. I have built a ton of custom built in shelving using nothing more than 2x4's and oak plywood. Finished with thin strips of solid oak on the plywood edges and a nice stain and finish. Biggest thing is a quick sanding will do wonders. And remove the stamped markings... This is an example of my dining room table I built with 4x4 cedar from lowes for the frame. The pieces for the top I did have to source special at a local cedar mill that had the large pieces I wanted and they were rough cut and live edge so I had to hand rip them all down with a skilsaw. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/362259/IMG_1797_JPG-1156516.jpg This looks amazing. Can you tell me more about the finish on the table? |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:33:22 PM EDT
[#25]
I make these out of construction cut-offs...
Crank out a couple-three dozen each winter.. I get $250 for 'em from tourists.. Hell yeah.. don't waste anything.. If nothing else ya got cheap kindling wood.. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:40:40 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yes, nothing wrong with plain old lumber to build stuff that will come out nice. You just need to know what to buy, how to finish it and how to make cheap lumber come out looking high end. I have built a ton of custom built in shelving using nothing more than 2x4's and oak plywood. Finished with thin strips of solid oak on the plywood edges and a nice stain and finish. Biggest thing is a quick sanding will do wonders. And remove the stamped markings... This is an example of my dining room table I built with 4x4 cedar from lowes for the frame. The pieces for the top I did have to source special at a local cedar mill that had the large pieces I wanted and they were rough cut and live edge so I had to hand rip them all down with a skilsaw. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/362259/IMG_1797_JPG-1156516.jpg |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:41:38 PM EDT
[#27]
I have a book somewhere dedicated to this.
Plans, material lists, etc. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:42:44 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I make these out of construction cut-offs... Crank out a couple-three dozen each winter.. I get $250 for 'em from tourists.. Hell yeah.. don't waste anything.. If nothing else ya got cheap kindling wood.. https://www.woodworkingtalk.com/attachment.php?s=0d9762a24bec9241cd6da8072d7e279f&attachmentid=67629&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1544733795https://www.woodworkingtalk.com/attachment.php?s=0d9762a24bec9241cd6da8072d7e279f&attachmentid=67630&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1544733795 They look fairly straightforward, but some detail on the hardware would be needed. 
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:47:54 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
http://flint7.com/Furniture/006.JPG http://flint7.com/Furniture/009.JPG http://flint7.com/Furniture/011.JPG http://flint7.com/Furniture/013.JPG http://flint7.com/Furniture/Desk7.jpg All of this was built entirely from stuff purchased from Home Depot. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 8:53:20 PM EDT
[#30]
I used pine 2x6 and 2x4s for the face frames on these bunk beds. I regret it because you have to shellac the knots to make sure the sap never comes through plus the stuff is soft and can dent under use. Budget was tight or I would have used poplar
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Posted: 11/10/2019 9:09:55 PM EDT
[#31]
Headboard because I'm cheap
And a standing mirror for the wife 
and frame for some pictures 
I had almost everything in the scrap pile |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 9:17:36 PM EDT
[#32]
I milled some pine and made a bar (and a few other pieces) out of it earlier this year. Dimensional 2x4, 4x4, and 1x stock
 Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 9:22:35 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
@Haoleb This looks amazing. Can you tell me more about the finish on the table? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Yes, nothing wrong with plain old lumber to build stuff that will come out nice. You just need to know what to buy, how to finish it and how to make cheap lumber come out looking high end. I have built a ton of custom built in shelving using nothing more than 2x4's and oak plywood. Finished with thin strips of solid oak on the plywood edges and a nice stain and finish. Biggest thing is a quick sanding will do wonders. And remove the stamped markings... This is an example of my dining room table I built with 4x4 cedar from lowes for the frame. The pieces for the top I did have to source special at a local cedar mill that had the large pieces I wanted and they were rough cut and live edge so I had to hand rip them all down with a skilsaw. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/362259/IMG_1797_JPG-1156516.jpg This looks amazing. Can you tell me more about the finish on the table? https://www.systemthree.com/collections/laminating-coating/products/mirrorcoat-self-leveling-bartop-epoxy-coating |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 9:27:58 PM EDT
[#34]
Computer table made with oak boards and plywood from Home Depot.
Pretty much amateur hour but it came out pretty good and custom fit the spot it was made for.  Attached File Attached FileBeats what I had there before.
 Attached File |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 9:56:31 PM EDT
[#35]
Tables, bed box frames, I just finished the lower half of a kitchen. Will be doing upper cabinets next. The most I usually do is rip 2x4s in half to make 2x2s. Otherwise it's stock.
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Posted: 11/10/2019 10:02:38 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I make these out of construction cut-offs... Crank out a couple-three dozen each winter.. I get $250 for 'em from tourists.. Hell yeah.. don't waste anything.. If nothing else ya got cheap kindling wood.. https://www.woodworkingtalk.com/attachment.php?s=0d9762a24bec9241cd6da8072d7e279f&attachmentid=67629&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1544733795https://www.woodworkingtalk.com/attachment.php?s=0d9762a24bec9241cd6da8072d7e279f&attachmentid=67630&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1544733795 |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 11:00:48 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That's pro level, and out of my league. Very nice work. There is nothing wrong with using dimensional lumber from a box store, and you can learn a lot of really useful techniques. Pine, the most commonly available box store wood, is a soft and light wood, so you'll be staining a lot. It doesn't take stain evenly, so if you want to you can learn different techniques for evening out stain on something like pine. Me, I don't find anything wrong with the blotchiness of pine, so I use it as is without any conditioners or fillers. All pine is pretty dimensionally stable (less subjective to expansion with humidity swings) which makes it ideal for solid wood furniture. The "premium pine" you see at Lowe's and Home Depot is radiata pine, which is a sustainable tree that often produces very clear, straight boards. Since I've started working with rough lumber, honestly a lot of the work is taking a rough splintery board and turning it into exactly what you'd buy in the store. The advantage is that you get to use different species with unique color and grain, so instead of staining pine a dark reddish brown you can simply buy rough bloodwood or bubinga or padauk and use it as is. That opens up new finishes, and so on. Beware, though. When you make things that people like, it's very easy to get trapped, especially around Christmas. My mother makes "requests" of me every single year. So-and-so wants a cutting board. My wife wants me to make something for her boss in Germany. I try to avoid turning my hobby into a job. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 11:26:06 PM EDT
[#38]
I hobby that pays is the best job.
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Posted: 11/10/2019 11:38:14 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
We had a guy in Maine tear down an 1800's barn with basically the same arrangement after we pulled a few choice pieces out. Some of the ceiling beams were crazy in length like you describe your floor joists. Can't get wood like that any more. The guy said eventually half was sold to a lodge out west, and half to a very nice new home down in Southern Mass. It was a lot of manual labor on his part, and some of it pretty risky, but I'm sure he made out well in the end. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
This is good advice, I tore down my 1880ish barn a few years ago. I basically paid a guy to do it with all the lumber from the barn as payment. The floor joists alone were 32 feet long 4 X 6's ...all one straight piece....about 40 of them total! Some of the ceiling beams were crazy in length like you describe your floor joists. Can't get wood like that any more. The guy said eventually half was sold to a lodge out west, and half to a very nice new home down in Southern Mass. It was a lot of manual labor on his part, and some of it pretty risky, but I'm sure he made out well in the end. |
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Posted: 11/10/2019 11:56:17 PM EDT
[#40]
I made a farmhouse table and bench from HD lumber.
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Posted: 11/11/2019 12:09:54 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I milled some pine and made a bar (and a few other pieces) out of it earlier this year. Dimensional 2x4, 4x4, and 1x stock https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/263232/IMG_20190525_111904-759x1012_jpg-1156661.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/263232/IMG_20190525_121659-759x1012_jpg-1156663.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/263232/IMG_20190522_193556-1012x759_jpg-1156664.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/263232/IMG_20190605_203719-1012x759_jpg-1156665.JPG Looks really nice! |
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Posted: 11/11/2019 12:46:05 AM EDT
[#42]
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Posted: 11/11/2019 6:34:55 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: @Haoleb This looks amazing. Can you tell me more about the finish on the table? |
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Posted: 11/11/2019 6:49:11 AM EDT
[#44]
I wouldn't' make fine furniture from green dimensional lumber. I think the moisture content is too high and it will warp and twist.
Reclaimed lumber is just fine. I just bought a couple of reclaimed elm boards this weekend. |
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Posted: 11/11/2019 6:59:36 AM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I used pine 2x6 and 2x4s for the face frames on these bunk beds. I regret it because you have to shellac the knots to make sure the sap never comes through plus the stuff is soft and can dent under use. Budget was tight or I would have used poplar https://i.postimg.cc/HsKRn2B9/IMG-0189.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/mrWnNrxc/IMG-0193.jpg |
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Posted: 11/11/2019 11:31:07 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This is good advice, I tore down my 1880ish barn a few years ago. I basically paid a guy to do it with all the lumber from the barn as payment. The floor joists alone were 32 feet long 4 X 6's ...all one straight piece....about 40 of them total! |
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