A Potting Table with a Twist

Discarded bits of a kitchen renovation can make a bench that’s functional and fun

It ’s not easy being the carpenter son of a garden - center possessor . It seems as if every year my mother asks me to ramp up something crazy that she has envision in a magazine or at aflower show — like the 56 - fundament - longwindow boxshe had me construct on the roof a few season ago .

But when she demand me to work up her the “ perfect”potting bench , I was actually excited . After all , I ’ve seen how much of a pain in the neck an “ fallible ” mesa can be for my mother and her gardening friends , withpotsfalling off the side of a bench that ’s too small orsoilspilling everywhere because there is n’t anywhere to put it .

I think , “ Why not sour an erstwhile pincer - base tubful into the ultimate potting workbench ? ” The recycled tub could keep the ground contain in an easy - to - access code spot , while a counter place to one side could provide an adequate piece of work country . I realized , however , that a bathtub would be a slight too big to meet the needs of the homegardener , so I opt , alternatively , for a sink .

There are infinite ways to make this judiciary , but here are a few all important thing I learned while construct mine .

What you need to know

This bench can be sized up or down reckon on the distance you have useable . The key component is the sink , which not only go along the filth in place but also admit you to pot things within it , thus hold the mess contained .

A. Use pressure-treated lumber and special screws for longevity

If your potting mesa is going to be endanger to the outside elements , I recommend using pressure - treated baseball bat ; it will hold up well to the weather and wo n’t collapse after a few years . you could use red cedar tree instead , but it is expensive . I also recommend using exterior - grade jailer ( I opt ceramic - surface decking screws ) for a similar reason : They are built to be long lasting alfresco . If your bench will be inner , you still might want to apply weatherproof stuff because your work bench will get slopped while you ’re potting .

B. Drill the holes to avoid frustration

The downside of using pressure - care for lumber is that it is dense and so screws have a inclination to twist and turn away when you seek to motor them into the woodwind . To save yourself from plunder an intact box of screws , drill pilot hole so that the gaoler sink more easily into the wood .

C. Brace the legs for extra stability

Regardless of whether you employ a bathtub or a sink for your bench , the judiciary is going to be labored . With all that extra weight , your table needs to be braced so that it does n’t sway back and forth while you ’re turn . The back two legs should be reinforced with two crosspiece dress at opposing 45 ° angles . This will ensure that your bench is static .

D. Use tongue-and-groove boards for a quick-and-easy top and shelf

you’re able to use plyboard for the top of your table and for the bottom shelf , but plywood does n’t wait very nice and wo n’t last more than a few years . Instead , habituate some cedar tree tongue - and - groove boards . The red cedar weathers well , and the tongue - and - channel boards snap together quickly , like puzzle pieces . It took me only 15 minutes or so to disregard , fabricate , and screw together the top and shelf of this table .

E. Select a used sink, with or without the plumbing intact

You do n’t take to spend hundreds of dollars on a novel sink for this project . If you have it away people who are redo their kitchen , you could use the sink that ’s being discarded . Or you’re able to stop by a local landfill or recycling center , which will usually earmark you to bribe a sink for a small fee . you could leave the faucet and bathymetry intact if your work bench is depart to be cheeseparing to a weewee reference ; if so , your sink can be used as a container for grime , or emptied out and used as a race basin . If your bench wo n’t be hook up to water , remove the plumbing so that it does n’t get in the way .

F. Secure the sink with construction adhesive

After you ’ve burn a trap in the top of the table for the sink — leaving a back talk for the sinkhole to rest on — you want to insure the sink . Prop a scrap piece of wood underneath the sink while it ’s resting in the write out - out pickle , and run a thick bead of construction adhesive around the edge of the opening . compact the sink down , and reserve the stamp to cure overnight before move the bench or get it wet .

Annual upkeep helps a bench last

After you build your perfect potting tabular array , do yearly tune - ups to check that that it lasts for multiple seasons .

Check the paint

( One or two times a class )

Even if you use pressure - treated lumber , weatherproof your bench with exterior pigment , smear , or sealant to help it last . After a long time of year of normal article of clothing and tear , repaint or varnish any areas of your bench that have chips . This will assure that moisture wo n’t seep into these musca volitans , which can cause wooden bench to rot . If you do n’t care the look of paint or shiny varnish , consider using a matt water sealer , which is sell at most computer hardware stores .

Flip it over, and tighten the hardware

( Once a year )

No matter how whole your twist is , a work bench will start to wiggle over time . This is usually because the prison guard keep everything together have relax . Flip the bench upside down , if possible ( which enables you to get to the screws more well ) , and reduce the screws .

Cover the soil

( All the meter )

If you have a soil - holding area on your work bench ( like a swallow hole or bathtub ) , verify that it ’s covered and protected from pelting when you ’re not using the table . I like to use a rubber container that lie over the top of the ground , but a rag of plastic or a tarp exercise just as well . A cover will protect your land from becoming a muddy mess and will forbid water system from collecting and becoming stagnant at the bottom of the trough .

Matthew Smith possess Smith ’s Carpentry , Roofing , and Remodeling in East Lyme , Connecticut .

Photos : Danielle Sherry . Illustration : Chuck Lockhart

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