Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Do It Yourself Metal Table Top

Do It Yourself Metal Table Top


You can make a metal table top with the proper hardware and knowledge of mold metal and affix it to a table. This doesn't mean your entire table has to be made of metal. In fact, it's easier and better to affix metal pieces to an existing sturdy table. Does this Spark an idea?


Choose Your Table


The table you choose to add your metal table top to should be sturdy and durable. The legs and supports should be made of wood or even metal, and the table top should be thick enough to support a sheet of metal, with screws running through it. Choosing the right table is important, as it is going to be the support for the metal table top, and then subsequently used for cooking, eating and socializing.


Pick a Metal


There are a number of types of metal you can choose for your metal table top, and the vary in looks and price. Copper is an attractive metal that is easy to install, as it is softer then most other metals. However, it is more expensive and can stain easily when exposed to heat and water. Steel is heavier and more difficult to install, as it is stronger than most metals, but is generally less expensive. Aluminum is cheap and durable but isn't necessarily as attractive for a table top that's going to be used as the main table for a home or kitchen. Any piece of metal you choose can be purchased at a metal-working shop and cut to the dimensions of the table top. Don't forget to measure and purchase strips of the same metal for the edges of the table top.


Installation


After you get the metal cut to the proper size, install the metal table top and strips on the old table. Sheet metal screws should be used at the corners of the metal sheet and on the strips to affix them to the old table top. The screws should be shorter than the thickness of the table top itself, so that they don't come out the bottom of the table. Once the screws are affixed and the sheet metal has been attached, solder them to the sheet metal for added strength. Then sand them down so that they merge into the table top surface seamlessly.







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