Black & Decker Readymade Home Furniture

Chris Peterson is a veteran home improvement and design author. Among the many books he has written are Barndominiums, 5-Gallon Bucket Book, Building with Secondhand Stuff, Manskills, four books in the Ideas You Can Use series, and many books in Cool Springs Press’s BLACK+DECKER Complete Guide series. He has also co-authored numerous home design books with noted media celebrities. He lives in Ashland, Oregon.

Introduction

The hardware store is, in a way, like the supermarket. You can find some finished dishes in the deli at the supermarket, but you’ll find many more individual components that you can use to create unique and even original dishes.
This book uses only items commonly found at large hardware stores and home centers.
The projects presented cover a range of applications. In the home, out in the yard and garden, and in the workshop. You can use them as described, or let them serve as departure points.
Styles: Where these projects will fit the best—although they are all handsome and anything but slapdash, the materials generally don’t create traditional or understated looks
Although these projects all tend to be substantial, you should keep your eye out for more modest, easier repurposing of hardware store buys, i.e. spice rack tool drawer.


Chapter 1: Hardware Store Basics

The most useful components (materials and pieces)
General design strategies to make these projects look as good as possible/personalize projects
Fastening pieces together (methods, adhesives and fasteners)

The importance of secure joining for longevity and durability.
The challenge of joining dissimilar materials
Techniques for using the fasteners as design elements themselves (vs. hiding or blending fasteners)
Best methods and materials for:

Plastics
Metals (w/breakdown of types of metals)
Wood
Other (i.e., stone and melamine)




Fastening pieces to a surface

A better solution for tricky/problematic materials
H2 find a stud
H2 secure to wall board/paneling (selecting and using anchors)


Basic Techniques

Drilling

The rules (when to drill a pilot hole, how to measure bits, etc.)
Specialized bits that can help in customized crafting


Cutting Guidelines

H2 cut pipe and tubing
H2 cut flat metal
H2 cut plastics and wood without splintering


Measuring

Understanding nominal sizes
Measuring tools, full listing


Sanding and Finishing

Sanding options

Tools
Materials


Finishing your creations

Paint basics
Clear/protective finishes






Special Section: Safety First!


Projects, Section 1: Indoor Ingenuity

Mud Room Organizer
Shoe Rack (forming tubes + contact paper + come-along strap)
QUICK HITS: Rope-and-stake Doormat
Copper Pipe Rack
Wine Rack
Rolling Bar Cart
Shelf-Support Chair
Urban Chandelier
QUICK HITS: Nut-and-Bolt Candle Holder
Door Desk with Ax Handle Legs
Stenciled Dropcloth Screen (room divider)
Modern Media Center (angle iron + Melamine)
Aluminum Sheet Table Lamp
QUICK HITS: Door Handle Coat Rack
Ductwork Coffee Table
Copper Pipe Magazine Rack
Bedroom Bench (joist hangers + posts)


Projects, Section 1: Backyard Beauties

Concrete Planters (or Hypertufa)
Faux Rock and Pump Waterfall
QUICK HITS: Funky planters
Bird Feeder (tubing and sheet metal)
Compost Bin
QUICK HITS: Edgy Edging Options
Garden Bench


Resources
Index