Thread: recycling a small glass table but which design?

personaly i like the ply version

Originally Posted by rellik

personaly i like the ply version

Definitely the ply version. I've seen people that shape the ply after it is formed and they get some really nice results with the varying layers when they're rounded off or just shaped into some organic form.

Problem is the glass top is nothing special. So all you do is waste time and resources making a base for an ugly bit of glass.

Originally Posted by scottbr

Problem is the glass top is nothing special. So all you do is waste time and resources making a base for an ugly bit of glass.

It might be a bit harsh but an interesting point.

If I was to choose between the three I would go the plywood one. If it was me I would prefer to enclose the glass around a wooden frame. The frame would need to be very highly figured and might be of a darker wood.

The base to attach to the frame similar to what is there now or further away from the glass to give a different effect.

Yes, I prefer the plywood one.
But if I saw the finished product, I would say, 'Nice base. Pity about the top.'

Originally Posted by scottbr

Problem is the glass top is nothing special. So all you do is waste time and resources making a base for an ugly bit of glass.

Well everybody has there likes and dislikes and those who have bought one of these table must of had some of the 'like'. if you did not have the 'like' you would not have one. So with that thought why not be a bit creative and have a project.
This can be applied to bigger glass table with rotting frames like the rectangle ones and to ones that do not have " ugly bit of glass" on top .
SWMBO has offered to use some of her glass paint to give the "ugly bit of glass" a lifted
I would Like to see some other creations posted.


Well the ply one seem to be in front in the like stakes and Christos idea sounds good.
I would look at getting some rubber or plastic u section and gluing this around the edge to help the finish off.

Well everybody has there likes and dislikes and those who have bought one of these table must of had some of the 'like'. if you did not have the 'like' you would not have one.

I'm not having a go at you, Rusel. I like the idea of making stuff with scraps. As you said in your first post, everybody bought those tables because they were cheap. And they were - and still are I'd say - everywhere: Bunnings, KMart, BigW etc etc.

I like the plywood solution, too.

By the time your missus paints the glass and you glue some rubber or something around the edge, the glass will be completely incidental.

Originally Posted by rusel

Well everybody has there likes and dislikes and those who have bought one of these table must of had some of the 'like'. if you did not have the 'like' you would not have one. So with that thought why not be a bit creative and have a project.
This can be applied to bigger glass table with rotting frames like the rectangle ones and to ones that do not have " ugly bit of glass" on top .
SWMBO has offered to use some of her glass paint to give the "ugly bit of glass" a lifted
I would Like to see some other creations posted.

Well the ply one seem to be in front in the like stakes and Christos idea sounds good.
I would look at getting some rubber or plastic u section and gluing this around the edge to help the finish off.

Oh, I don't know... the glass for my project posted here elsewhere cost $150. The glass on that table if you had to order it would be close to $50. Worth saving I reckon... besides neither element should dominate. If the finished project is to look good then all elements should complement each other. Finally there is the satisfaction of recycling something that would have just ended in the scrap heap...

As for the design, there's no accounting for taste, but none of the three designs excites me too much. I would frame the glass in an hexagonal or octogonal frame (or even round) and go from there. I would make the frame 50 - 75 mm wide and use a nicely grained hardwood. If you used a recycled timber that would be in keeping with the recycling theme.

What ever you decide, I hope that you enjoy the project...

Yes a wide border of timber works,,,, maybe take that a step further and put some radiating planks out from a glass centre out to meter or more radius with a segmented edging around the outside. Little table now big table

Great post. I like the plywood version too. As I am one of those who has this exact same table and chairs, you're giving me some ideas of what to do with it. Would be good for anyone who takes p the challenge to post some pics of the completed table.

Trav