Final Project Process

These are my 4' long pieces of wood I cut in order to make the shelves for my table to come. 

After I cut all my pieces, I knew it was time to see which ones lined up the most evenly with each other in order to not have any gaps in between my wood. Also in this step, I put marks at 2", 12.5", 24", 35.5" and 47" in order to provide guidance to where I was going to need to have pocket screws.

Once those were made on six of the eight 4' pieces of wood, I started making the holes for the pocket screws.... The amount of pocket screws I needed for this project was a crazy amount that I was no where prepared for. But about after the 40th pocket screw hole, I started to get the hang out of it.

Once all 15 were made in the shelves, I then placed glue in between the individual pieces, and then held them together with a table clamp, While they were drying I was able start making the other 15 holes in the other shelf. I also started actually using the pocket screws in order to secure their togetherness.

Once both shelves were made, I needed to make the 2' sides so that my shelves had something to connect to. Tim gave me the great idea of adding in the center blocks between the 2 2' 2x4s, which meant ultimately 16 more pocket screws, added onto my already 30.

Once those were made, I used the table clamps in order to hold them together sturdy enough for me to screw them together without them shifting out of place.

Half of the finished pieces after all the construction I was able to do...

After I finished the pieces, I decided to then sand them in order to make them smoother than what they were. Because I was using 2x4's for everything, they all had different textures, so I felt it was necessary to try and get some consistency. This was probably the most satisfying part of construction, it made it become more realistic instead of just having prickly wood shoved together.

After I had the pieces and was ready to put them together, I was told more pocket screws were needed (I assumed he was just trying to be funny by this point). The newest additions required four pocket screws on either side of each shelf.. Which meant 16 more. 

After the pocket screws were done, the next step wasn't too hard. All I needed to do was hold down my top shelf and legs in place by the use of clamps and then screw them together!

I was really amazed at just how handy the clamps are... They really hold things together without any budging.

The last part was a little difficult, but I needed to then cut pieces that were able to be placed in order to hold up the second shelf. Once those were made, I clamped them to the legs that I had already made because I knew they would stay. Once balanced, I screwed them in and then I was done!

Here is my finishing product, it was an incredible experience to have and I am glad that I had the opportunity to actually make something like this during my college experience

I sat on it, and it's sturdy enough to hold me and the amount of weight I bring, so I felt like the amount of screws in it was worth it...

Total Pocket Screws:

Initial 30 + (mess up that wasn't mentioned) 2 + Legs 16 + Put Together 16 = 64 total pocket screws

If it breaks, I would lose it. I believe in it though.