Introduction: Easy Modern Black Iron Pipe Bench / Entryway Table
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About: My crafty background began at my seamstress mom's side then spilled into the garage and my dad's tools and scrapwood. These days when I'm not cursing my 1960s sewing machine or spilling wood stain on my white…
I started this project because I wanted an affordable bench/entryway table for my front door and didn't like anything I found in stores in my price range. It's so easy to make and the materials are pretty affordable, too!
Heavily inspired by the tutorials at http://homemade-modern.com/
Heavily inspired by the tutorials at http://homemade-modern.com/
Step 1: Materials
Tools:
Power drill (or just a hand screwdriver if the wood's soft and/or you're a boss)
Staining pad (if you decide to stain the wood)
Level
Lumber:
1 - 2" x 12" x whatever length you need. Most hardware stores will custom cut the lumber for you. I bought a whitewood softwood board and had it cut to 45"
Hardware:
8 - 1/2" Black iron floor flange**
4 - 1/2" Black iron tee fitting
8 - 1/2" Black iron 12" nipple
2 - 1/2" Black iron 5 1/2" nipple
16 - black wood screws
Optional:
Wood stain of your choosing (I used Minwax in mahogany)
Polyurethane or lacquer of your choosing
Felt pads to protect wood floors
**According to Home Depot's website, they stock black iron floor flanges. I bought all my materials at Lowe's and was told floor flanges only exist in galvanized iron so I spray painted the silver to black.
Power drill (or just a hand screwdriver if the wood's soft and/or you're a boss)
Staining pad (if you decide to stain the wood)
Level
Lumber:
1 - 2" x 12" x whatever length you need. Most hardware stores will custom cut the lumber for you. I bought a whitewood softwood board and had it cut to 45"
Hardware:
8 - 1/2" Black iron floor flange**
4 - 1/2" Black iron tee fitting
8 - 1/2" Black iron 12" nipple
2 - 1/2" Black iron 5 1/2" nipple
16 - black wood screws
Optional:
Wood stain of your choosing (I used Minwax in mahogany)
Polyurethane or lacquer of your choosing
Felt pads to protect wood floors
**According to Home Depot's website, they stock black iron floor flanges. I bought all my materials at Lowe's and was told floor flanges only exist in galvanized iron so I spray painted the silver to black.
Step 2: Assembly & Staining
If you don't like having your hands covered in grease, wipe down all your hardware before you begin.
Assemble each end's legs into upper case "H" shapes with floor flanges on one end, making as tight and straight as you can. The pipes will not tighten enough to cover the threading. Try counting how many rotations you make to try to keep the legs even.
Attach the legs to the board by screwing in the floor flanges. Loosely screw on the bottom floor flanges and flip the bench so it's standing on its feet. Place the level on the bench and tighten the bottom floor flanges until it is level.
Apply felt pads (stick-on ones are the best!) if you have wood floors to protect from the metal edges.
Apply stain if you like! I did three coats of mahogany Minwax and two coats of spray polyurethane.
This idea is so adaptable -- even after you're done you can alway swap out the hardware for changing needs. I'm currently planning a longer, taller version of this to go behind my sofa, or maybe a two-shelf version for my tv and cable box.
Assemble each end's legs into upper case "H" shapes with floor flanges on one end, making as tight and straight as you can. The pipes will not tighten enough to cover the threading. Try counting how many rotations you make to try to keep the legs even.
Attach the legs to the board by screwing in the floor flanges. Loosely screw on the bottom floor flanges and flip the bench so it's standing on its feet. Place the level on the bench and tighten the bottom floor flanges until it is level.
Apply felt pads (stick-on ones are the best!) if you have wood floors to protect from the metal edges.
Apply stain if you like! I did three coats of mahogany Minwax and two coats of spray polyurethane.
This idea is so adaptable -- even after you're done you can alway swap out the hardware for changing needs. I'm currently planning a longer, taller version of this to go behind my sofa, or maybe a two-shelf version for my tv and cable box.
