Project #2: small end table

[johnnymg]

Greetings

I'm building a small end table with 1.5" angle, topped with some cool old barn-wood. We scavenged the barn-wood from the original ranch site that our development is built around. Wood is probably from the 50's. The steel is from a local shop.

I'll post some pics later today or tomorrow.

cheers
JohnG

[johnnymg]

OK, so I have finished welding up the frame but now I'd like to "age" this puppy good. I've read a number of forum posts on aging steel but am a little confused about the effect the mill scale will have on the aging process.

Please save me before I try this ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1.) spray/clean with vinegar
2.) spray with a mixture of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and salt per intrusions here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Prod...ust-the-Metal/

cheers
JohnG

[joshuab]

I don't know if there is a specific "look" that you're going for, but the one time I tried heat-bending metal, and I sprayed plain water on the hot-spot to cool it faster, the resulting mist covered the whole rest of the project with rust. Seems like if your goal is to rust the metal, plain old H2O will do the trick. Maybe a little too well!

To be fair, it's possible there was a bit of bleach residue in the bottle, which may have made a difference.

[everlastsupport]

Google is your friend. You Tube as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TNAxJXMzU8

[johnnymg]

OK here are some semi-final pics of my little project. I just spritzed the steel with some vinegar which aged the steel a little bit. Will wait and see how the elements treat it before going for the more aggressive aging options.

We know where to find a bunch more of the old ranch timber so many more rustic projects are in the planning stages.



cheers
JohnG

[johnnymg]

The BEST part of this is that the iwife unit is already using the little table for her artwork. Yehaaaaaa............. can we all say victory and new Plasma Cutter at the same time!



cheers
JohnG

[Mr120]

Nice little table. The aging looks pretty good but hard to see from the pictures.

[johnnymg]

Nice little table. The aging looks pretty good but hard to see from the pictures.

Sorry for the crappy pics. I decided to leave the steel just 'semi-distressed'. i.e. I didn't try the more caustic solution listed above.

My wife just thanked me again for the little "art table".

regards
JohnG

[johnnymg]

Wifie liked that little table enough to commission a larger table for the entry patio. So, I'm off to the metal supply shop today.