DIY Network

Paintbrush Table Put your old brushes up on a pedestal. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-512

Turn old brushes into a new project.

Even conscientious crafters like Michele Beschen end up accumulating old, unusable paintbrushes. But the B. Original host doesn’t toss out those relics from projects past – she recycles them into fun furniture with this terrific table.

Michele Beschen shows how to build a small, simple table and then embellish it with paintbrushes and stir sticks. The same woodworking techniques also work for other small pieces of furniture.

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Paintbrush Table

Materials:

Lumber: 2x2 pine – 4 pieces 24" long 1x4 pine 2 pieces 12-1/2" long 2 pieces 9-1/4" long small scrap of 1/4" plywood pine board, 7-1/8" x 13-3/16"

Other materials: old paintbrushes used stir sticks pocket hole jig safety glasses drill screwdriver bit self-tapping pocket hole screws, 1-1/4" long air nailer or hammer 1-1/4" nails 3/8" nails

	Figure A
	Figure B

Note: A pocket hole jig makes the joinery for this project a snap. This jig makes it possible to drill perfectly placed, hidden holes for creating furniture and other projects. Look for them at hardware or home improvement stores.

• Use a pocket hole jig to drill two pocket holes at each end of all four pieces of 1x4 pine (figure A).

• Lay out one 2x2 on the work surface, with the scrap plywood against one side of the 2x2. Place one of the
  12-1/2" 1x4s on top of the plywood and line it up with the top of the 2x2.

• Use pocket hole screws driven through the predrilled holes to attach the 1x4 to the 2x2 table leg (figure B). The plywood will keep the 1x4 from resting flush with the leg.

• Attach another 2x2 to the other end of the 1x4 board using pocket hole screws.

• Build a second set of legs by attaching the other two 2x2 legs to the remaining 12-1/2" 1x4 in the same manner.

• To complete the base, use the predrilled pocket holes and pocket hole screws to attach the sets of legs to the shorter pieces of 1x4 (figure C).
  

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

  	Figure E
  	Figure F

• Stand the table frame upright. Center the remaining piece of pine on the tabletop – it won’t cover the entire top of the structure – and secure it with an air nailer and 1-1/4" nails (figure D).

• Brush a coat of shellac over all surfaces of the table.

• Attach the stir sticks to the tabletop with an air nailer and 3/8" nails, or a hammer and small nails (figure E). Stagger the sticks, mix up the colors and let some hang over the edges. Don’t be concerned if some of the sticks are slightly warped; they’ll straighten out when nailed down.

• Once the tabletop is covered with stir sticks, position the paintbrushes along the legs of the table. Secure wooden-handled brushes with 1-1/4" nails and an air nailer (figure F); be sure to nail in the bristles as well. If a handle is plastic, drill pilot holes and attach with screws.

• Continue adding brushes all the way around the table. When you’re finished, you’ll have a unique piece loaded with memories of past projects – and maybe even inspiration for future ones.