New Workspace

New Work table in Porch- 39" x 72"

Sketching can only take me so far. There's something about just playing with the components in person that can be a shortcut to a good solution. Since this type of work is very different than painting, and my studio floor is limited, I needed another space that could be level, clean, and ok to leave untouched for days while I work my day job and tend to other commitments. Realizing that my mudroom/ porch was an untapped resource for this conundrum, I put my explorations on hold and decided to build a table in the porch to use for cutting and assembling.

It was worth it! At the advice of Brandon at Home Depot, I selected 3/4" plywood. And placed it on two adjustable sawhorses on top of 3 Qty 2 x4s. Instead of nailing or screwing it together, I clamped the table components in place. Having learned from my previous frame building experience how important it is to not commit to solid pieces, when you are tight on space. The table ended up being 39" x 72" and set at 34" height. I measured the saw horses and wanted to cut plywood down to 37" to fit flush, but Brandon at Home Depot pushed back suggesting that the wood should extend past the edge. I relented, but later in the parking lot remembered why I had imposed the limitation originally- as I had just measured what would fit inside the car. Instead, I would have to lift this beast over head in the wind on top of the car. Another patron took pity on me and helped hoist another corner over top. As he left, I climbed onto the passenger rear seat and held onto the roof rack of the car using cam straps to secure the wood to the roof of the car. It was a cold day, temps in the teens and 20mph windchill. I got the cam strap twisted and had to start over three times. My hands started to lose feeling and the ability to manipulate the cam quickly became questionable. The cold makes everything harder. I made it home, using my head to help hoist it off the car and almost dropping it on my foot.

It was dark and cold so I waited until the next day to assemble and cut the 2x4's- Brandon was right- the table is the perfect size. My first project was to pull a large sheet of insulation I had put aside for an early framing exploration and placed it on the table to cut it for better storage. Everything is so much easier when it's at the right height! Last night, I was able to putter out to the porch and make wood cuts and spew sawdust to my heart's content without having to rearrange the kitchen. Wearing layers I braved the 14F temps under the warm glow of an incandescent light.