The base of an old sewing machine makes an interesting dining table.
No need to spend a fortune on a clever dining table for a small space. Some imaginative recycling and savvy shopping will turn a castoff into an original table that doubles as a conversation piece. Apartment Therapy featured a table made from a vintage cast-iron sewing machine base and a cheap ready-made tabletop that's the perfect bistro size for a dining alcove or the corner of the kitchen. You could put your own spin on it with a beautiful piece of wood, a glass top or mosaic tile-covered plywood. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Set up a work area in a yard or the garage. Choose a well-ventilated space with good light out of direct sun. Cover the floor or ground with a plastic drop cloth or painting tarp. Tape plastic drop cloths over any walls, furniture or upper areas that spray paint or spatters might reach. Open windows or a garage door for cross-ventilation if you work inside. Use a paper dust mask to avoid breathing in any paint spray or sanding dust.
2. Clean the base of a vintage wrought iron sewing machine. Use an ordinary, all-purpose household cleaner and a sponge to wipe down the base. Remove any soap residue by rinsing the base with clear water and a clean sponge. Dry it with a clean towel or rag.
3. Sand the base lightly, once it's dry, first scrubbing with a metal brush to remove any flaking paint or surface rust. Go over the piece with fine-grade sand paper to create a rough surface the new paint will adhere to easily. Wipe the base free of sanding dust when you are finished.
4. Paint the sewing machine base with a rust-inhibiting primer. Don't sand between coats---once the primer is dry, apply a top coat right over it. Use a metal paint and brush it on for a thicker, lasting finish and good coverage. Don't work in direct sunlight. Watch for any drips and work them right back into the wet paint with the brush so your base coverage is smooth. Let the table base dry while you tackle the table top.
5. Choose the table top and size to suit your space. A narrow rectangular top will accommodate two chairs. A round or a square top allows room for four chairs. Find an inexpensive wooden table top in a thrift store or home improvement center or select a quality piece of attractive wood. Wash or wipe down the table top with a household cleanser and sponge to remove any surface dirt or dust before painting
6. Paint a ready-made or second-hand tabletop to match the table base or use a lighter shade of the base color. Use a glossy water-based acrylic for a surface that will be easy to wipe off.
7. If the top is unfinished wood and you want to stain it, lightly sand the wood with fine-grade sandpaper to provide a good surface for the finish. Wipe off the dust. Paint a coat of wood conditioner on the tabletop with a cheap brush and let it dry for 15 minutes before applying stain with a new brush. Stain will stain you, too, so wear gloves. Brush the stain on with and against the grain and, for a light color, wipe it right off, with the grain, using a clean rag. For deeper color, leave the stain on five to 10 minutes longer before wiping it off.
8. Once the tabletop is dry, paint or spray on a protective coat of clear lacquer.
9. Set the top on the base once both pieces are dry. Use a pencil to trace inside the holes in the base for screws, marking the spots on the underside of the table top. Remove the top from the base and lay it flat. Tap a nail a fraction of an inch with a hammer into the wood at each mark as a guide for the screw.
10. Replace the top on the base, lining up the starter holes with the screw holes. Use wood screws that are shorter than the thickness of the table top to fit the holes. Screw the top to the base from below.
11. Move the table by lifting it at the base. The base is fairly heavy and picking up the table by the top could rip the screws out of the wood. Position the table in the dining alcove or breakfast nook and add two to four chairs or stools for seating, depending on the configuration of the top.
Tags: sewing machine, base with, dining alcove, dining table, four chairs, machine base
