Patio table refurbishment

[Lons]

We bought an aluminium and Glass topped table and four chairs from Costco donkeys years ago and my wife hates the glass top which always looks scruffy. She's been making noises for ages about buying a new set but the prices of decent stuff definitely doesn't appeal to me at all. So after close inspection, the chairs are in good nick as is the aluninium frame and legs so I decided to make a hybrid table using the reclaimed science bench tops that Ray bet his house on being iroko.

I originally intended to just plant it on top of the existing round frame maybe in a bit like a sunburst pattern but decided to use just the legs and make a rectangular shape instead of around 1100 x 1400. My intention is to fit breadboad ends and sides around 50mm deep.

Initial spacing out



Frame glued and clamped having dug out my old little used biscuit jointer for the joints. (Some of us don't own a domino) and dowels would have been more hassle.



Frame sanded and all edges rounded with the screaming Makita midget.



A bit of enjoyable edge planing of the top sections using the lovely Bedrock I managed to aquire from a mate - thanks Sam



Then more routing



I hate the mess they make.



A quick session with the ROS



Then out with the Titebond premium and loads of screws.





That's enough for today and hopefully I can get back on to it over the weekend so the next step is to use a tracksaw to trim the top to size and I intend to fit a 50mm deep edge all round probably using the biscuit jointer again, round everything over including the corners, drill a hole in the centre for the brolly, final sand and treatment before fixing to the legs which need cleaning up first.

Happy wife, no out of pocket expense so happy me and I'm sure it will be worth oodles of brownie points from the missus.

 

[Cabinetman]

That’s a good looking top Bob. look forward to seeing the finished table.

 

[AndyT]

That looks like an ideal way to make use of the ready made frame and some beautiful suitable wood.
I wonder if you have kept the glass top?!

 

[AndyP]

Will the frame need some gloop to protect it before the top goes on?

 

[Lons]

...........I wonder if you have kept the glass top?!

Still have it at the minute Andy and the circular aluminium ring (1200mm). The glass is frosted, presumably toughened and I have no idea what I could use it for so I'll need to get rid.

Will the frame need some gloop to protect it before the top goes on?

I've already glued and screwed it on Andy. I did think about that but decided it would affect the glue so opted for treatment at the end and I'll make sure it's applied everywhere. I'm more concerned about it warping than rotting tbh.

 

[Blackswanwood]

Nice and tidy workshop Bob. I spent an hour tidying mine up last night and it still looks a mess!

 

[Lons]

Nice and tidy workshop Bob. I spent an hour tidying mine up last night and it still looks a mess!

I see it as a mess Robert I try to do a quick clean up after every session even if just to keep on top of the thick stuff as I hate starting the next day wading through shavings.
The brushes, vac and blower are the most used items in the workshop. Not so keen on vacuuming the house though, that's just a chore especially as our old Labrador is shedding atm and the vac gets used twice a day. I don't understand how she's not bald.

 

[AndyP]

I've already glued and screwed it on Andy. I did think about that but decided it would affect the glue so opted for treatment at the end and I'll make sure it's applied everywhere. I'm more concerned about it warping than rotting tbh

Sorry Bob I meant the Aluminium frame.

 

[Woodbloke]

Nice job Bob. Brownie points in abundance! - Rob

 

[Lons]

Sorry Bob I meant the Aluminium frame.

The circular section is being discarded Andy so just the leg ends screwed to the wood frame. The whole thing has to be cleaned up but it's anodised and in reasonable condition so won't need anything. I might put a thin rubber gasket (inner tube) between the metal and wood, haven't decided.

 

[SamQ aka Ah! Q!]

Good to see the 607 getting a workout, Bob.

 

[Lons]

I use it more than you might think Sam.

 

[Planeiron]

Looks great. Was it iroko? You'd know as it's a horrible smell. Great stuff but hateful to work with.

 

[Lons]

Looks great. Was it iroko? You'd know as it's a horrible smell. Great stuff but hateful to work with.

I don't know Dave but going off responses when I originally planed it up a couple of months ago it is. Raymedullary said he'd bet his house and tools on it.

Thread 'Reclaimed sapele'

May 17, 2026

This is the last of the large sections of school science benches I salvaged more than 30 years ago, I had probably 4 times this much which has slowly been used up however these were far too heavy and awkward to easily move around so I finally decided to clean them up and save a potential hernia.

I wasted half an hour reading the scratched in kids comments including a few choice words about the teachers, those were the days. Then a bit of work scraping off ancient dried chewing gum (not an antique tack or staple in sight though ). The panels were grooved with glued in...

• Lons
• Replies: 69
• Forum: General Woodworking

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[Lons]

I managed a couple of hours this afternoon so a little progress............


Fixed the aluminium frame to the top with thick rubber gasket and screw bolts. It's nice and sturdy.



Trimmed the top to final size using the tracksaw with plastic spacers between the gaps to help avoid breakout



Put the edge trims through the little drum sander



And ready for the next steps another day.