Old Water Trough to a Patio Storage and Table

Ruth
by Ruth
8 Materials
$20
5 Days
Medium
Table top challenge got me going on this idea for a table and storage on my patio. Of course I had most the items around here. I had drug home this water trough from one of the neighbors curb just wasn’t sure if it would be a bench of some kind or a table. I have seen many different things made out of them. I think maybe I Like my idea, we have already used it 3 or 4 times with Appetizers and cold drinks when Neighbors and my kids stop by. Hope you enjoy!

Rusty old water trough after I added 2x4’s and casters.
I flipped it over and cut two 2x4’s for support of my casters. Drilled holes and secured them to trough with nuts and bolts for extra support so the casters wouldn’t buckle when it had weight in it.


My son in law is a hardwood floor installer and left some beautiful solid maple hardware in my shop for me to Do something with. I got out my wood glue and clamps and went to work. Using a rubber mallet to fit together the tonguse and groove with glue on each piece. I got a section big enough for water trough with a couple of inches around the edge. I clamped in and let it a couple days t set up. Once the glue was all dry. I flipped over trough onto the wood and traced around with a pencil and used a sanding block as a guide to give me my overhang. Then got out the jigsaw and cut it out.
After my glue set I pulled out my orbital sander and smoothed the cuts and any glue that oozed out but left the imperfection. I like rustic look. My son in law also gave me some hardwood floor stain so I used it to stain the table top.
once the stain was dry I went back over with Thompson water seal for outdoor protection. I applied two coats of Thompson’s water seal.
I didn’t hinge the top to trough so I could just lift it up and add whatever I wanted. Cushions will fit perfect inside or I Could even take the top off and add ice for cold drinks when having a summer party.
Finished outdoor table
It works great with my lower chairs I just roll whenever I need it.
Added so much to our sitting area. Complete and we will enjoy all summer long. Goes great with my repurposed patio rockers but that is another post.
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  • Joan Stanley Joan Stanley on May 26, 2019

    Love this idea. I have an OLD #3 washtub that was actually a washtub and then was our "swimming pool" 65 years ago. I'd never part with it and now I know what to do with it for the great grandkids!

  • Ruth Ruth on May 26, 2019

    Glad it inspired you!

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