DIY & Home Improvement
Related: About this forumSewing machine table
A couple of months ago at an estate sale, my wife noticed a bundle of cast iron, tied up with string, marked at $10.
After a quick inspection, I told her we really should get it. Turns out, it was an old 'white' sewing machine base, minus the treadle and wheel.
A couple of weekends later, we stumbled across a tiny sawmill, where the owner was doing a run of cedar. I picked up a massive 2" thick slab for a song.
I had to cut the slab into two sections small enough to fit through my surface planer, then I joined them back together.
After filling in the checks and splits with epoxy, I sanded it smooth and covered it in polyurethane. Once dry, I installed it on the newly painted base.
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)X_Digger
(18,585 posts)Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)How much do you guess that puppy weighs?
Back in the day we used to drive up to the coast around Mendocino and buy big slabs of redwood burl. Burn the edges with a torch, then pour a thick glop of bartop epoxy over the whole thing.
It was a popular look, but I much prefer what you've created by keeping it a natural finish.
X_Digger
(18,585 posts)It went from 2" thick down to ~1 11/16" after surface planing. There was a slight twist and cup that took a lot of shavings to remove.
I was worried that it would look too weird, too overpowering for the base, but I don't think it's too terrible.
Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)I can see that it's smaller than I originally imagined.
I think it's an unusual design, but not weird. I might have rounded the corners some, to harmonize with the curves in the sewing machine stand, but that's just me.
It's a nice job.
Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)Mine is shared with a 1959 Studebaker.
I've put all of my saws, work bench, etc., on wheels so they can be moved around to accommodate the car, as needed.
X_Digger
(18,585 posts)Most of my tools are benchtop, hand-held, or on mobile bases, too.
I use a sheet of melamine sitting on saw horses in place of an assembly table.
I have just enough room to pull my truck in the garage in case of hail.
northoftheborder
(7,608 posts)How did you get the rusty iron to painted finish? Did you sand off rust, remove with rust remover, or use paint that can be used over rust?
I have an old machine base that needs work, and wonder if I shouldn't just leave it rusty. It still has it's original wooden top, though, so could really be used as a table.
X_Digger
(18,585 posts)Once the loose paint and rust was removed, I re-coated with rustoleum.