Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [wooden-furniture]

265 questions
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11 answers

Should I tilt my DIY self-standing bookshelf backwards to prevent it falling down?

Context I intend to build a self-standing bookshelf using 18mm-thick, CNC-router-cut plywood. The bookshelf is made of nested planks, and entirely fits a 35cm-deep recess in my wall. Following pictures display first a sketch of the global design,…
ebosi
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What are cheap ways to build strong shelves with a large span?

I have removed several old and moisture damaged built in storage units from my house. I would like to replace them with shelving. There are a number of different sized gaps (width and depth to fill). I would like the shelves to hold quite alot of…
flamingpenguin
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What grit sandpaper should I use between coats of polyurethane?

I'm planning on applying polyurethane to a pine bench I've finished staining. I decided on foam brushes for application, but I wasn't sure what grit sandpaper I should use between coats. Is 400 good enough? Or should I use 600? Or both? Also, if…
Doresoom
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What are some tips for finishing wood?

I'm kind of embarrassed to ask, but I'm looking for a good how-to guide for finishing pine furniture. (Could also apply to baseboards and trim, so I'm hoping for an on-topic pass here.) I watched my dad do this dozens of time when I was a kid, but I…
Doresoom
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What are the pros and cons of medium-density fibreboard (MDF)?

I heard mixed opinions about making cupboards and beds from MDF. Some said it doesn't matter, MDF is as durable as whole tree or sandwich boards. Some said that MDF is weak, and will not last for years if you move the MDF-beds often. I'll be glad to…
Elazar Leibovich
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6 answers

Bend wooden bedframe back into shape?

I have a wooden bed frame, for which one of the sides is very slightly bent out (as shown in the picture). I would like to get it straightened because the slight bending out means that the slats that support the mattress on that side aren't held in…
LondonPhantom
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What is the best way to shorten legs on a table and chairs?

A few years ago we bought a "bar height" kitchen table and chairs. It seemed like a good idea at the time but we hate it now. It's terrible to have to sit with your feet not touching the floor for long periods. So my question is what is the best…
Dave
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How to put 5/8" oak dowels into holes which are just barely the right size?

I've got a handful of oak dowels (ok, a lot) and holes that are both 5/8" in diameter, the problem is that the dowels are just barely too big for the holes. I'm trying to figure out easy ways to either sand down the dowels or expand the holes. I…
enderland
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Do I need to pre-drill holes in particle board for screws?

I'm set to buy a bunch of IKEA furniture, which is notoriously all particle board. (Ah, particle board.) I'd like to strengthen some of the beams of the HOPEN bed with L-brackets from the big-box hardware store of choice. My question is this: since…
Aarthi
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Whats the easiest way to fix sticky painted furniture so that it's no longer sticky?

I sanded and painted a dresser with several coats of 100% acrylic paint, namely, these paints: The paint job turned out good, with one issue. After 4-6 weeks of drying, the paint is still slightly tacky. That is a problem, because when I put a…
n00b
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What is this soft, sticky wood finish and how do I remove it?

We have a second-hand table with a mysterious finish. The wood underneath is pale, possibly pine. With the finish, it's a slightly darker and "warmer" colour. The table is not antique; I'd guess only about 20 years old. The finish is soft, so you…
Rachael
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How can I get stains out of a pine table?

I have a light pine dining table. After we got married, we left an orchid from the wedding on the table while we went on honeymoon, giving it a bit of water before we went. Didn't realise the pot wasn't water-tight! The water leaked out onto the…
Caroline Willis
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good books on carpentry

I have some experience with making basic furniture (beds, desks, shelving) and installing trim and fittings (hanging doors, replacing kitchens) and I am interested in learning how to get a better finish and make more sophisticated pieces. What are…
flamingpenguin
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Dining Table Chair Repair

Some years ago, I purchased a set of dining table chairs. Alas, despite being happy with them in other ways, they are not well made. After a few months of normal use (pulling them out, sitting in them, scooching forward and back, etc) the legs get…
Reader
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How do I identify and replace unusual screws?

I've got a desk held together by these really strange screws below. The tapped end goes into one end of a joint, the plastic piece goes into the other end of the joint, and then the head of the screw goes into the plastic piece, with an additional…
TheEnvironmentalist
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