Re: Gwennifer's Table Tops

Chopper 4/8/2014, 2:17 pm

LOVE IT! SO much so that I tried my own. Being wood challenged my head almost exploded over the measurements and I ended up doing it differently but now that I have built one I have a better understanding and will do the next more like yours. What I did do that I liked was extend the height of the side bars so I can add a trellis, plastic cover or bird netting as required. Just planted with some squash, cukes and a few other items. Once you go to table tops you never look back. My knees are so happy.

Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Dscf3510

Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Dscf3510

As you can see I had not finished painting in this view. I used a spray paint I had but ran out. It is done now and trellis up.

Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Dscf3511

Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Dscf3511

The unfinished one looks naked next to the other one.

Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Dscf3512

I remember reading about using twigs for peas to climb so I added those to the emerging pea squares. We shall see...

**sanderson** 4/8/2014, 2:58 pm

Chopper (aka Happy Knees), Great looking! Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 3170584802

Goosegirl 4/8/2014, 6:53 pm

sanderson wrote:Chopper (aka Happy Knees), Great looking!

+1!

Marc Iverson 4/8/2014, 8:55 pm

That's a cool one. You really built it high.

bonnie0128 4/9/2014, 3:29 pm

Wow, I am totally reconsidering how I'm going to do my beds this year now. I have to completely re-do two beds because the wood is too rotten. I had planned on using cement block but this is much more appealing (especially since we may move in a year or two). Do they dry out quickly when they are raised like this? Which is your favorite height to work with? Do you get less bugs (I have a bad slug problem around here)? Has anything not done well in your raised beds? I suppose I should search for the old threads as these may already be answered.

PS - where has everyone gotten their cute cartoon avatars?

**sanderson** 4/9/2014, 4:12 pm

Bonnie, The avatar photo is a relatively new option under your profile. Select "avatar" and have fun!

bonnie0128 4/9/2014, 4:32 pm

sanderson wrote:Bonnie, The avatar photo is a relatively new option under your profile. Select "avatar" and have fun!

Cool - I've been absent from the forum for quite a while until recently. I'm tired of my old cartoon so I'll have to check that out! Thanks!

Chopper 4/10/2014, 3:33 am

Marc Iverson wrote:That's a cool one. You really built it high.

Like I said. Wood challenged. Seemed easiest to just use 6' lengths and put the basin about in the middle. Below is TT with netting for the cukes and squash.

Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Dscf3513

Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Dscf3513

ralitaco 9/22/2014, 4:22 pm

Gwennifer and Chopper,
Just wondering if either of you used treated wood for the frame or if it was untreated that you painted. If it was untreated, how has it held up to the weather. If it is treated, did you have to use any special paint.

Also, it looks like you just used wood screws as opposed to carriage bolts. Is that correct? Any issues with sturdiness?

Thanks in advance,
Jim

**sanderson** 9/22/2014, 5:12 pm

Jim, If you are referring to the small TTs with cement skreet pans, I know Gwennifer's husband used plain 2 x 4s. My husband used plain 2 x 4s, free from a construction site, and screws, only. Mine has wheels so I can move it to following the sun. From the photos, it looks like Chopper only used screws.
Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Table_28

Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Table_28

If you are referring to larger TTs, my husband used screws on most of them, the largest being 2' x 4.' For the 2 x 8' and 2 1/2' x 4', he also used bolts. The posts are treated, but not exposed to the Mix.
Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Table_29

Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Table_29

Hope this helps.

ralitaco 9/22/2014, 10:11 pm

thanks Sanderson,
I missed an entire page of posts. Thank you for posting your pictures. I now have my answers.

Jim

mschaef 9/25/2014, 3:27 pm

This is a really cool topic. Thanks all for sharing!!!

**sanderson** 9/25/2014, 4:24 pm

Hi Mschaef! Missed you!

talentetta 2/14/2015, 3:41 pm

Sanderson, Please share construction details on your larger TTs! Is the bottom ply supported only every 2' with a cross joist? Do you use black plastic? They are so good looking, and will look nice against my formal clipped hedge background. Trying to keep good looks at the forefront as we choose our TT style.

P.S. We lived in Turlock for 17 years! Miss parts of CA....1st day on the SFG forum.

talentetta 2/14/2015, 4:19 pm

I see you replied in another thread. Thanks. Very Happy

talentetta 2/15/2015, 4:19 pm

Marc Iverson wrote:
boffer wrote:A couple years ago I made a TT with 3 tubs. At the time, the Lowe's brand of tub were definitely better made than the HD brand.

Good to know, thanks boffer. I've read one should look on the bottom for a notation that the tub is HDPE or HDE .... high density polypropylene, maybe? Apparently from the reviews I read, the ones at Home Depot are not, and the ones at Ace were not.

I visited Lowe's last night for a Valentine's date (my hubby knows what makes me happy Smile

) and they are discontinuing their $12.47 tubs by Scepter. They were an odd size, as in not even feet (19x26?), so I decided to check for 24x36 online. True Value.com has an HDPE tub with ribbed sides that looks very sturdy by Maccourt, with free ship-to-store for $24.99. However, a better price for the same tub is on Midlandhardware.com. Even with shipping, no tax, about $23 for a quantity. That's my plan, and since the MM won't touch the frame, I'm going to make or face mine with old barn wood, for that vintage charm.

**sanderson** 2/15/2015, 4:43 pm

19" x 26" = 1.5' x 2' in SFG thinking. Very Happy

The little 6" row is good for small lettuces, little radishes, herbs.

**sanderson** 2/15/2015, 4:53 pm

The larger cement mixing tub is basically 2' x 3' and about 7" deep. Here's the mobile one DH made for my older son and grandsons: Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Gwenni10

Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 Gwenni10

**gwennifer** 7/16/2015, 8:46 pm

ralitaco wrote:Gwennifer and Chopper,
Just wondering if either of you used treated wood for the frame or if it was untreated that you painted. If it was untreated, how has it held up to the weather. If it is treated, did you have to use any special paint.

Also, it looks like you just used wood screws as opposed to carriage bolts. Is that correct? Any issues with sturdiness?

Thanks in advance,
Jim

This is a very late reply, but to answer we used plain 2x4's from Home Depot, not pressure-treated. I primed and then painted them with Glidden exterior paint. We used 2 1/2" exterior grade (decking) screws as specified in my drawing. This will be their third season and they are still perfectly sturdy. The paint isn't cracking or peeling at all, but between rain all winter and watering all summer, I'm beginning to see some cracks in the wood - nothing serious yet. Here is a picture I took yesterday:
Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 20150717

Gwennifer's Table Tops - Page 3 20150717

Windmere 7/16/2015, 9:37 pm

Gwennifer, those boxes look beautiful. I just had to chime in when I saw that last photo!

**Kelejan** 7/17/2015, 12:39 am

I'm sure another coat of paint will hold them together for another season or two. They still look lovely.

**sanderson** 7/17/2015, 4:53 am

They still look great to me. Very Happy

Gwennifer, Good to see you again. Please don't be a stranger.

**AtlantaMarie** 7/17/2015, 8:05 am

Hey, Gwennifer, where ya been? Missed seeing you here! Glad to see you back...!

**trolleydriver** 7/17/2015, 8:14 am

Gwennifer ... Those are sweet lookin' SFG boxes you have there. They are both colorful and practical. I like the fact that you varied the heights as well. You are inspiring me to build some boxes that are not at ground level.

mschaef 7/17/2015, 9:16 am

I liked those colorful boxes the first time you posted a picture and I still do. So pretty even after 3 years I'm impressed.

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