Modern, rustic or contemporary furniture with copper pipe
You don't need to spend a fortune to make these reclaimed timber tables for a home, just some reclaimed timber and copper pipes. You will find copper pipe and joints in the plumbing section at your local Builders Warehouse and then you just need to design your piece and assemble.
instructables.com
Whatever piece of furniture you want to make, draw a basic plan to show the dimensions. Here are a few things you need to bear in mind:
1. Each t- joint will add 19mm to the measurement, so if you start with a 500mm piece of pipe, cut it into two 250mm pieces and attach them back together with a t-joint - the full length will be 519mm.
YOU WILL NEED:
Lengths of copper pipe
Wood for the top or shelves
Elbows and T-joints
Epoxy glue
Pipe cutter or angle grinder
Drill/Driver and assorted bits
Screws
Safety goggles and gloves
HERE'S HOW:
Using your basic plan as a guide, cut the pipe. Pop on gloves and safety goggles if you are using an angle grinder or jigsaw to cut your copper pipe, or use a pipe cutter. Cut the longest sections first and plan out how to use each length of pipe so you end up with as few scraps as possible.
Once all the pieces are cut, lay out on the floor, with the fittings along-side, so you can see how everything fits together. Start joining the pieces together one by one, using epoxy glue. You get a 5-minute epoxy glue that allows you to work quickly, but don't mix too much glue - only enough for one joint at a time.
Prepare the top material before you assemble. Use a suitably sized spade bit to drill a hole for the legs on the underside of your top material. If the legs appear wobbly, apply some epoxy glue to the joint for added stability.
Here's a copper pipe coffee table with a beautiful piece of walnut as the top. But the technique used for this assembly was to solder the pipes, rather than glue them together. If you have a blow torch or Dremel Versa Flame, you could consider this option.
wishbonehome.com
Inspired by a folding paper cup made as a child, 'The Hopeless Diamond Sofa' designed by Christopher Stuart uses materials off the shelf at the local hardware store. This design uses copper plumbing pipe, cable ties - no difficult mitres or glued joints!
luurdesign.com
thehousethatlarsbuilt.com
This cute little coffee table by the house that lars built has a painted top and four copper legs fitted into drilled holes and glued in place. Use a spade bit to drill out holes on the underside, and epoxy glue to fasten the legs in place.
paulloebach.com
If contemporary style is more to your liking, how about this amazing coffee table by Paul Loebach that is fastened together with cable ties. You'll need copper pipe, some nylon cable ties, a drill/driver and 5mm HSS bit, and tempered glass for the top. Oh, and a lot of patience!
After drilling a hole in each pipe, a cable tie is inserted into the end to join the pieces together. This is where the patience comes in... you'll need plenty of it to arrange and hold the pieces in place while you complete the assembly.
So worth it !