When I was on Almyne I had a small gate leg table with drawers to the opposite side to the folding top. I love it, but when I sold Almyne I let the table go with the boat as I thought that the table I had on Forty Two would suffice. As it turned out that table was just too big for me. After a lot of research I managed to source a new table in the same style as the old one but it was made of MDF and pretty soon was falling to pieces. Eventually I found a replacement, just like the original in a charity shop in Hinckley, which we had to carry through town, get it on the bus and then carry it from the bus stop to the boat, about three quarters of a mile alltogether. Fortunately another boater helped us carry the table along the tow path.
Having got a 'new' old table the MDF one went on to Olive as my travelling companion had never had a table there. She got quite used to it and found it very useful. It, of course, went with Olive when that was sold.
This new, old table has served us really well for a number of years but the table top was getting a bit worn and needed sanding and a new coat of varnish. As it is in constant use I decided that I would build another table to use while I was refurbishing the original one. I had already fitted a couple of braces as it was getting a bit wobbly and they worked just fine, it is as solid as a rock now.
my travelling companion had found a piece of wood that is just big enough to make a table top, so all I need to do is make the frame.
Made the frame and fitted drawers at the sides instead of the back. The frame was made with timber that I had hanging around, the top with the piece that my travelling companion had found and the drawers were made with surplus tounge and groove that Richard no longer wanted. I only had enough wood to make six drawers altogether, three each side but the space at the bottom is ideal to hold the kindling box and a couple of washing up bowls.
I put it on Dennis while I was refurbishing the old table and my travelling companion liked it so much that she perloined it leaving me with the original table. Not a problem, I really like the old table.
But! I like the new table even more. I've made one, I can make another. This time I purchased the wood for the frame and drawers (which will be a lot more robust), but used the old table top. It took a day to make the first drawer but once I knew what I was doing I made the other seven in one day, well I would have if Travis Perkins had given me the right wood. I made five and have the sides and fronts cut for the last two.
Having made the drawers I needed handles and looking on ebay they cost £2.50 each and I need at least eight. Found a piece of two by two, planed id down on the corners so that it was octagonal, put it on the lathe and made 12 handles in about an hour. Well pleased with my first attempt.
New top for the old table and now I can use the drawers on that one as well.