The Studio

FrankenBench! 

Recreating a jewelry bench on a shoestring budget was a problem easily resolved after finding Brian Meek's amazing  Frankenbench

Step 1

Spend 6 hours on the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto Carnival Traffic on a mission to collect 100 year old oak desk spotted on Craigs List for $40.

We arrive to find the desk in a sad state, with mildew and damage but it has enormous potential and the excitement starts to build…. Intrigued, as stuck to the underneath are some 1950’s newspapers, and an odd shaped drawer we are told used to house a typewriter. I think of Miss Money Penny, and Roger Moore.

It only just fits in the car with the use of bungees, ropes and much head scratching. A combination of Cub Scout knot training and slow carnival traffic helped to keep the desk in the car. Having the back open and the windows down eliminated the smell.

 

Step 2

Rip it apart! The smell was pretty musty, and my neighbour Denise suggested lemon balm wood cleaner which stripped away the grime and removed the smell completely – Result! 

 

Thanks also neighbour Dave and neighbour Bill for advice and loan of awesome power tools. Don’t you just love neighbours and belt sanders!

 

Step 3

Get the height right and jack up that work surface. Jewelers work at armpit height, so swivelling around on my chair in the garage some crucial measurements were calculated before jacking began.

 

Step 4

Did I mention I’m more of a director than a doer? Here is hubby doing most of the work. I think his bones were still vibrating from the sander later that evening. (Dust mask worn all the time despite working in 40 degrees –what a trooper!)

 

Step 5

Now it’s looking the biz. The semi-circle is cut, and it’s ready for a coat (or 3) of varnish. More expert advice from neighbour Dave on products and finish.

 

Step 6

Make it personal. I’ve added whacks, burns, and marks. I’ve made some tool racks too and we keep customizing it. It’s the best piece of kit ever!

 

Thanks go to:

Brian Meeks for sharing his awesome idea
Craigs List seller for chucking it out
Hubby for doing the lions’ share of the work
Dave, Denise and Bill for advice and tools
Participants of the 2013 Toronto Carnival for slowing traffic and ensuring the desk didn’t end up smashed to smitherines on the Gardiner Expressway.