Make a Typecase into a Coffee Table

From CRAFT

From CRAFT

This project first appeared on the pages of CRAFT or on Craftzine.

Learn how to take a vintage typecase and make it into an industrial coffee table.

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I visited Hackett at the Madagascar Institute here in Brooklyn, NY where he helped me weld legs and a base together. You can take a class at your local metal shop or watch Make: Live episode 14.

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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Make a Typecase into a Coffee Table  ¶ 

  • Take a class at your local metal shop or watch Make: Live episode 14 to learn the basics of welding to create a table base and legs.

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  • Or you can bypass welding altogether, and attach hairpin legs with screws.

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  • Take your typecase or tabletop to your local glass store, or cut the glass yourself, using gloves and protective eye wear.

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  • Wipe your newly welded legs and bases down with some rubbing alcohol to clean it. Paint over it with Liquin to give it a lasting finish.

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  • Attach felt pads to the bottom of the table legs to avoid scratching the floor.

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  • Attach the tabletop to the legs with rivets or Liquid Nails. If you use Liquid Nails, clamp the table and legs together for several hours after applying.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Fill your typecase with trinkets that you can change as often as you want. Add rubber pads to each corner, then place the glass on top.

Additional photography by Becky Stern.

For more information, check out the Furniture category page.

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