As a child Legos were my favorite toy. On the box they would show several different versions of the toy. There was the one way provided by the instructions, but there was always a couple more versions you could try to build. Those were my jam. I loved building all the things. Trying new designs.

As I got older, bike ramps were the thing. Building something with wood and tools. Taking bikes and scooters off of them at the end of the driveway like we were BMX riders. Then we took to the woods, trying to build forts and hideouts.

Finding time to construct anything just wasn't available as an adult. Living a more fast paced life, no time to sit and figure out a design or create anything. I tried miniatures for awhile, painting them takes time, perfecting their appearance. But that didn't last, there was always something going on or something to do that took away that time.

Out here though, things can move slower. Sometimes they have to. Things need to get built (mostly fixed, haha). That takes time and thought. I felt like I needed to get back into creating something while also bettering myself for the years to come when things need to be built or fixed.

You may have seen on Facebook or Instagram, I recently made a cedar frame for the nursery. It was an easy quick project that pushed me to think what else we need for the nursery. I wanted to make something for my unborn child. Create something that will last a long time and can't just be bought at Target. I felt that we were lacking surface area. The room is small and we only had a changing table (which will be taken up by baby) and an open closet with some shelving to place items on.

The first thing that came to mind was a nightstand. It's easy these days to find free design plans, which are linked below, to perfectly provide instructions on how to build anything. The original design I found appears to be made with pine and is 2ft by 2ft. The wife thought that was too big for the small space of the nursery... she was right, so on came the modifications!

This is the bottom shelf laying on the top. Posed the pieces together making sure they fit.

I took it from 5 to 3 2x4s on top, leaving them the same length of 22.5". That left me in a weird spot for the bottom of the stand. They got shorter, but I still needed the same width, which was 5 2x4s.

To connect the pieces I used glue and 2 inch pocket screws. The instructions indicated to use 2.5 inch screws but I thought that would be too long. I used the Kreg jig kit to make all my pocket holes as indicated by the instructions. Once I had the bottom and the top all screwed together, I needed to make sure that when I connected them to the legs it was level.

I then ran into an issue with the bottom shelf. The original instructions called for two pocket holes to go into the the side bars for the shelf, that connect into the legs. However, since I needed to shorten up the shelf so much, those pocket holes were in an impossible place to get the bit into the pocket hole.

The pocket holes on the left and right were not needed.

After I got it all leveled and assembled, I decided to hit it with an Antique Oil Finish. I ended up doing two coats to get it looking how I wanted. I really love this oil. It goes on easy and makes knots pop so beautifully. I can't wait to make another one for our other bedroom! But I really can't wait to show my son or daughter how to make things with their hands!!!

https://rogueengineer.com/diy-simple-square-bedside-table-plans/

Papa Builder

May the Fourth Be With Us

Coopin' Ain't Easy