Ikea Hacking Challenge - Part 3: Bench

So after cooling my heels for a few days I returned to the Ikea Hacking.
This is the bench that I made from the side of the Expedit bookshelf.
Nothing in the pile of Ikea parts fit the bill for the legs, so I made them from scrap 2x4 and 1x4 glued together then ripped on the tablesaw to 2x2. The rails of the apron were pulled from the pile of parts. Again, I used the Kreg jig to use pocket screws for attaching the legs to the apron.
The piece I used for the top was actually the side of the expedit shelf. The sides don't have any holes drilled on the outside face, so I used this as the top. The side facing down, as well as the ends, all have pre-drilled holes for attaching things. I will probably fill in the end holes and make them match.

Ikea Hacking Challenge - Bonus Round: Side table

So, while not originally one of my goals, I decided to make a side table from the "Heap of Ikea".
There were 2 side pieces to what was probably supposed to be a night stand. I started there.
They did not need any altering, so I picked up 2 matching pieces from the stick pile ,cut them to the necessary length, and drilled out pocket holes to attach to the side panels:



Then I salvaged a large piece of the white melamine stuff to make a top. I mitered white melamine pieces to go around the sides like a picture frame. Brad nails secure them to the top melamine piece. The shelf is actually 2 drawer fronts cut to fit on the inside.
The original side panel pieces have an unstained support piece (seen in the photo above). I will stain it dark to match the rest of the table.
Mrs. TG will probably distress and glaze the white top to match most of our off-white furniture.

Ikea Hacking Challenge - Part 2: Sewing Table

So one thing that Mrs. TG identified as a potential project from the "Heap of Ikea" was a sewing table.
There was a nice white dresser top and some white panels that were likely shelves. I used these as the sides and top for the sewing table.
First, I cut down the 2 pieces that would be the sides. They needed about 6" taken off.
As before, the longest sticks we acquired were just a bit too short, so 1x3 lumber had to be used.
I cut 3 rails to length, pre-drilled them with pocket screws, then attached them to the side panels:

Then I dug out 2 more white scrap boards and made them into a shelf.

Once these were attached, all I had to do was place the top on it and secure it form the inside with screws.

Mrs. TG will pick out some pretty fabric and make a skirt around the base.

Ikea Hacking Challenge - Part 1: Desk

Here is the first project I made from the "Heap of Ikea"
These legs were cut down to table height (29"). I used a tablesaw, but a circular saw and a good guide would work, also. Since the panel is floating, I had to re-attach the top horizontal framing piece.

Since the even the longest Ikea pieces were a bit too short, I had to buy some 1x3 from Lowe's. I cut these to length and pre-drilled holes with a Kreg pocket joint kit.

Here is the unit with the top apron pieces in place:

And with the table top in place:

It will be secured with pocket screws from underneath once we decide how to paint/finish it.

Ikea Hacking Challenge

The label on the stack in the foreground says: Handy Person's Special: this whole cart $9.99

This is what it looked like just before loading into the car:

So, we bought the cart and spread out the contents at home.
From what I can see there is a 4x4 expedit shell (no interior dividers), some end pieces and a top from some kind of table, a neat white tabletop with a routered edge and 2 white shelves that match, more end pieces from either a nightstand or small incidental table, and lots of drawer pieces.
Goals for this pile:
1) a narrow desk/table to go along a wall so kids can do schoolwork
2) a sewing table for Mrs. TG (made from the white table top and sides)
3) a bench for the kitchen table (using one expedit side)

I also hope to make a few other things using the expedit pieces.

See PART 1
See PART 2
See PART 3
See BONUS ROUND