When I was making my first wood project, which was a desk for my husband, i was using a circular saw. I’m a bit scared of them, and didn’t feel like I had much confidence in my abilities yet. I have this neighbor that would come over and check on me and see my progress and he was watching me cut my wood. So one day he asked me if my husband was good with electrical, and I of course said yes. So then he asked me if I wanted a Miter Saw, the switch on the handle was broken, but if my husband could fix it, then we would a nice working saw. So of course I said yes.
He had his son bring it over, and we set it on the cabinets in the garage. One day I was putting things away on the cabinets and I positioned it in a place close to the outlet. I then checked to see if the cord would reach and when I plugged it in, it turned on!!! What I hadn’t realized was that when he said the switch was broken, he meant it was stuck on. I got so excited, this meant I could use it, even though the switch was stuck. Which meant, it was a lot easier to cut my wood.
Since then, my step-father has looked at and ordered a new switch, which I haven’t put on because I need my husbands help. But I think that would fix it permanently. Since I got the miter saw, I feel like I’m able to tackle more projects. Projects I probably wouldn’t have done if I didn’t have it.
So… on to the project.
Now that we have the base done, it’s ready to start on the headboard. Once again, you can find the plans and directions here. (Love Shanty 2 Chic!!)
First I did the necessary calculations so that I can make a twin size (the plans are for a full, subtract 15 in from the width to make a twin). Once the calculations have been completed, I cut all the wood.
See, all cut! (With my cool Miter Saw!!!)
Next I put the head board together. I had originally decided I didn’t want to put trim on my headboard. The reason? Well, it was already costing me more than I had planned to start with. So my brilliant idea was to glue and nail the boards in from the back, like this:
The problem with this was that I bought cheap boards. The 1×6’s I bought were furring instead of regular 1×6’s. So the bowed in the middle and bent weird. So when I got done nailing oneside, the other side would become unnailed. that’s when I realized a couple things:
1 – Don’t go for cheap would, even if it does save you $20. (Too late, had to figure out a better solution.)
2 – Nails are not holding these boards together. Screws will.
So I flipped it over to the front and used screws, very strategically so that it would keep the headboard fairly straight.
I then added the bottom 2×2 and the extra support in the legs.
At this point I knew I was going to have to do something about those screws, but hadn’t decided what. I thought I would go get some trim, but couldn’t because I had kids asleep and couldn’t leave the house.
So I proceeded with the instructions. I put the edges on and made them flush with the back of the headboard.
And then, because of my impatience, decided to just put a 1×3 up the sides over the screws, instead of the trim.
See? I don’t think it looks too awful with no real trim. I had contemplated getting out my router and making the edges pretty, but I never did.
I once again made sure I glued everything. The glue just makes sure the screws don’t loosen over time.
And so now you have a finished headboard. Next week I’ll walk you through how I stained it to create a beautiful rustic look.
Oh so pretty!
