How to Guide for…Encyclopedia Table
1/3/2019
Check out our newest instructable: https://www.instructables.com/id/Encyclopedia-Table/
Encyclopedia TableBy sgfycmaker in WorkshopFurniture
Supplies
Table parts
23 encyclopedias
metal rod and bolt
encyclopedia pages
old table base
round wooden tabletop
Tools
electric drill and wood drill bit
hot glue gun and glue sticks
ratchet wrench
screwdriver and screws
Craft supplies
mod podge
epoxy resin
glue sticks
wood glue
rulers
markers
scissors
construction paper
Step 1: Finding Your Table Parts
We found a piece of scrap wood at our local hardware Habitat for Humanity Re-Store store. We also got a base for the bottom from an old restaurant table. Someone donated the encyclopedias.
Step 2: Getting the Base Ready
We used 23 encyclopedia books, you can use any books you'd like!
Measure and mark the center of each book, mark it with a red sharpie so it is easy to see. Once all the books are marked you can start drilling a hole through each one. We drilled the books using a wood drill bit and on a hard surface. Remember that the hole has to be big enough so the support rod can fit through it, so that is the size of the drill bit.
Step 3: Building the Base
Put each book on the the rod on the base.
We used hot glue in the center and wood glue on the edges to make it stick right away and stay together for a long time. Turn each book at the angle you want for the book stack which is building the base.
Put the metal support part on top of rod and use a ratchet wrench to make the bolt tight. We had to keep adding books until we reached the top of the rod.
Step 4: Cover and Design (design Is Optional)
We ripped pages out of encyclopedia books and used mod podge to hold and seal the papers.
We cut out fish shapes out of construction paper to design the table (you can cut out any designs you like).
Step 5: Final Touches
Measure and mark with marker where the screws go to attach the top, and drill holes in these spots. Attach the round top of the table to the support rod connected to the base. We used screws in the metal support that went into the top of the table.
We used epoxy resin for the top coat. Please follow the instructions on the box and wait a day. Now the top is hard and can be used to play cards or do homework!
Encyclopedia Table
9/27/2018
We're in our "repurposing" unit and learning how to make a table out of encyclopedias. Many of us haven't heard of encyclopedias, only wikipedia and this is a way to make these books useful again! The goal is to use the encyclopedias as a column to support the round table top.
We started by measuring the center of the book and marking it on both sides
Next we did some practice drilling outside. Then we drilled a small hole in each book.
We drilled a larger hole in each book with huge wood drill bits and the vaccuum to clean
up sawdust.
Last week we sanded the covers and stacked the books on the metal rod to support the
table 'leg'. We used wood glue and hot glue. We're not done yet, but we're close!
We still need to paint and attach the table top. More photos to come!