Pine Wood Table

Snich76

I am building my own small desk that goes over an armchair - its basically just 3 bits of wood screwed together, very simple and will be used as a computer desk (for keyboard and mouse):



I started with some lengths of untreated bare pine, I have given it 2 coats of primer/undercoat and am about to give it it final coat of paint (standard colour emulsion). After I have finished paiting it and left it to dry, do I need to seal it with any kind of protection as I would do with wood, or is the paint ok to be the final coat?

The key is simplicity, I dont need it to look professional or even anywhere near perfect, just to be functional and I just wanted to know that after I have finished the painting, do I need to treat the painted surface with some kind of sealer?

Also, my plan is just to use a few L-Brackets to fix the vertical "legs" to the top (form underneath) but was wondering if this will give it the stability I need. Does anyone recommend any other way of doing it, bearing in mind space under the table will be limited becuase it will be going over a sofa or a bed.

Thanks.

paulsad

L brackets probably won't be strong enough - maybe extra block screwed from top and side is a better option if prettyness isn't important

Snich76

I considered that, but space is a bit of an issue underneath as it will sit over a sofa with high arms with only about 30mm clearance as it stands.

gmgmgm

You'll need a real woodwork joint to achieve that strength. Not just little metal brackets.

If you don't want to start getting involved in woodwork, think about changing the design. Most simple: you could get two saw-horses and just rest the board on that.

Or you could add a fourth board running across the back of the surface, if there is space.

Norman_Castle

Emulsion paint will wear and get dirty quickly. Seal with varnish or use gloss paint.

Kiran

For quick and simple go with pocket screws or dowels. They wont take up any space but will be stronger than L brackets. As for paint, if you are buying the paint go for wood paint, you can still get a matt finish. If you do want to use the emulsion then seal with a hard wearing varnish.


HTH

A.Penny.Saved

Some long shelf brackets fitted underneath to support the top would help and so would a piece of wood across the back from the top and as low down as you can which still allows it to go across a bed etc. That should help give it stability so that it does not twist and break the brackets out of the wood.

Snich76

Thanks for the advice. Tried a bit of a bodge-job over the weekend using some blocks in the underneath corner between top and sides but its still quite wobbly - just about works as long if I dont move it too much but it has made me determined to get it right next time. The shelf brackets are an excellent idea (as is the gloss paint), wish I had read that before I started

Edit: If any chippies is the Essex area fancies building it for me, let me know your price and that would save me some time and frustration...!

MerlinMags

Don't give up, you can do it!

Does it wobble side-to-side (nearly breaking the joints) or back-and-forth (tipping the legs off the floor a little)?

WilliamPang

You have to use gross paint for this.It will be better option for you.Also for more advice you can contact to your carpenter or any furniture manufacturer.