Park Model Project: End Table

Wauchula, FL

Since the park model is due to be delivered very soon, we continue to make runs here and there to pick up furniture we ordered a while back. Our neighbors across the street at the Co-op have left for the season, and they have graciously allowed us to use their shed to store things. They are new to the Co-op so their shed is almost empty.

The latest furniture pickup required a trip to Lakeland. Afterward, we came home by way of the Ellenton Outlet mall to shop for new shoes for both of us. Since one of several locations of Anna Maria Oyster Bar is only minutes away from the outlet mall, we stopped for lupper after leaving the mall.

Anna Maria Oyster Bar

We both had fried clam strip baskets. Margery had cole slaw and green beans for her sides, and Paul had cole slaw and red potatoes. We also shared a complimentary order of onion rings with a coupon from a previous visit. The Ellenton of Anna Maria Oyster Bar has outdoor seating overlooking a lake.

Margery with her fried clam strips

In our last post, we mentioned Paul was working on an end table for the park model. Like the platform bed, he has been working on the end table between Co-op meetings, Co-op projects, and running errands. Unlike the bed, however, the table is small so Paul didn't have to assemble and disassemble it every time he worked on it.

The design includes a file drawer on the bottom and a smaller drawer for pencils, notepads, and other items we would like to keep handy on top. The body of the table is birch plywood, and the top is solid maple made from the wood we picked up in Lakeland when we went to Fred's Market Restaurant for the breakfast buffet we wrote about in our last post.

Paul started cutting pieces for the body and drawers several weeks ago. You can tell it was several weeks ago because Paul is wearing a sweatshirt while working in his outdoor workshop that morning. The weather has warmed up considerably recently, and the highs are now generally in the mid to upper 80s with lows in the 60s.

Cutting pieces for the body of the end table

After cutting, the parts had to be sanded. Sanding is Paul's least favorite part of any woodworking project, but it's one of the most important steps.

Sanding one of the parts for the end table

Paul started the assembly with the main body and then moved on to the drawers. He then attached the drawer slides fit the drawers in place.

Attaching the top drawer slides

The end table has a painted body and a stained top. With most of the assembly complete, Paul put a coat of primer on the body and the drawer fronts. It was so windy the primer dried very quickly making id difficult to get a smooth coat. Therefore, Paul sanded the primer lightly the next day after it dried to get rid of the brush marks, then put on the finish coat with the table in the shed to protect it from the wind.

Applying the first of two coats of finish color

Meanwhile, Paul cut, glued up, sanded, and stained the maple tabletop. After that, he applied several coats of polyurethane finish.

With the poly finish on the top and the paint on the body had dried, Paul did the final assembly last Friday. All that's left is to pick the drawer pulls.

Completed end table sans drawer pulls

We're not sure what kind of drawer pulls we will go with, but we're leaning toward wooden knobs stained to match the top. At any rate, the end table is all but finished just in time for the park model to arrive. More on that in our next post. 

Comments

[Becky Carson]

Hi Margery,
I just realized that we just got home from the area you have your site. We were in Bradenton the month of March, and had lunch at Anna Marie Oyster Bar last Wednesday. We love the area. I do not recognize the name of the town you reside. Is it north or south of Bradenton? We were close to an area called Lakewood Ranch. Perhaps our paths will cross on our next venture to Bradenton.
Becky Carson

[Mike Evringham]

Great work once again Paul! Can't wait to see th e Park Model Pics!

[Paul Weaver]

Wonderful job on the table, Paul. The file drawer is a great idea! We are anxious to see the new park model as I am sure you are as well. Enjoy the weather.

[Janice L Evans]

I always love Paul's projects. . .so talented.

You guys are the reason for our love of "whole body" clams. . .we are getting closer to an area we should be able to find them.

[Gerri Jones]

That end table looks really good...great work Paul. Can't wait to see pics of your park model, but I know you guys can't wait to have it delivered.

[Bob and Jo Baskerville]

Can't wait to see the park model photos.