But before class really started, I tackled one more thing I really wanted to get done before the winter/new baby. Nathan's been so into trucks, and trains, and basically anything that emits potent diesel fumes, that I decided to suck it up and get him a train table. Only, I didn't really dig anything I found on Craigslist or even could purchase new. People were tending to charge a lot for them, and it would've taken a lot of coordination to bring one home.
So I thought hey, I'll just make one. None of the plans I found for free really called to me, and I hate you know, doing any sort of logical planning. So I kind of made one up as I went along.
Basically, 1x4s in a box shape, with 1x6 legs and 1x3 braces across it (meaning the lip would extend 1 inch up so trains wouldn't fall off easily). This was the first attempt, but I quickly realized this wouldn't hold up to toddler climbing, and I needed to make it sturdier.
The two added crossbeams are actually from an IKEA bedframe. I cut a few inches off the ends and they were perfect 1x3s. I wish I'd known earlier, could've saved like $3 by buying fewer 1x3s! And the L-shaped legs make it super sturdy, I can't shake it at all at this point. It's one solid piece.
Closeup of the sanded edges. This took awhile, even with a power sander my brother left here awhile ago. But it came out really good!
The finished product. I'm sort of miffed that I dropped $12 on Minwax Polyshades and it wasn't nearly as dark as it was supposed to be. I wanted it as dark as his bed, chair, and bureau are, but it wasn't any darker than the light colored stain I already owned from a previous project. The sample at the store lied! Eventually I may stain it darker, but honestly I'm just happy it's done.
Nathan is glad too. He's been playing with it a lot since I showed it to him, and I've had fun making the track configurations. I hope someday he appreciates all the work and cursing and broken drill bits I put into this thing (two drill bits, but who's counting). In the end, it only cost about $75 between the wood, stain, and green spray paint for the top and it could be done in a leisurely weekend. Not that I'm telling you to try it. You might just wanna buy one off Craigslist. But I'm super happy the way it turned out.
