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Post by deshacrafts on Sept 29, 2016 22:26:19 GMT
I have a new craft room, and my DH built me a nice cutting/project unit. It's IKEA 4 x 4's back to back and one in the end. It's approximately 33" x 48". So to my question...we put a plywood top on with trim. I stained it last night, but I'm not loving it. Am I crazy to consider painting the top with chalkboard paint. My thought is I could actually use the top with liquid chalk to make notes while working on projects. Thoughts? Thanks!! UPDATE: This is the finished top. Stained it twice to make it darker and put on 3 coats of high gloss floor varnish. I let it dry for 3 days before I put my mat on top. I really like how it came out.  I cannot get this to be right side up..grrrr. SaveSave |
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Post by rst on Sept 29, 2016 22:49:56 GMT
I think that sounds fun.
I have a similar cutting table -- mine is a hollow core door on top of 2 2x2 kallax units. It's still a little too low for me, so I need to mount them on casters or feet to get a better ergonomic height.
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gloryjoy
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,332 
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Post by gloryjoy on Sept 29, 2016 23:26:46 GMT
I'd get some thin MDF board cut to size and roll the chalkboard paint on that, then put on top. That way if you change your mind about having a chalkboard surface, you could take the MDF off and paint or stain a different color.
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,192
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Sept 29, 2016 23:27:50 GMT
Is the plywood smooth?
The only problem I see happening with the chalkboard paint is scratches. I think over time it will get scratched by scissor and pins. Maybe not, idk.
What about a sheet of melamine, I think that is what it is called. That white laminate stuff.
Congrats on the new room...just think of all the possibilities!! |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 7:27:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2016 23:29:27 GMT
I would love a cutting surface! But agree with wanting I got it smooth like Vinyl but I love the idea of chalk paint!
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Post by deshacrafts on Sept 29, 2016 23:32:30 GMT
The plywood is smooth. Thanks for your input. I will have to think about it some more.
Oh and I do have it on casters, I need to be able to move it around. It's the only way I could have a table that size.
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Post by duchess on Sept 29, 2016 23:37:28 GMT
I used a big piece of the melamine or vinyl stuff on it. It's pretty sturdy and doesn't get scratched or knicked at all. I would worry about snagging fabrics on the wood.
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Post by pierkiss on Sept 29, 2016 23:41:13 GMT
My sister in law made all 3 of my kids a chalkboard for their rooms by painting plywood with chalkboard paint. The boards are used A LOT. They're about a year old, and it's just not holding up that well. There are places where you can start to see the wood through the chalkboard paint. And the whole thing is really faded. It needs to be refreshed, but to hang it we had to screw them into the walls, and I'm not too keen on taking them down to do this. :/ I'd go with one of the other suggestions for a board material, and skip the plywood.
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Post by leftturnonly on Sept 29, 2016 23:54:26 GMT
I have a new craft room, and my DH built me a nice cutting/project unit. It's IKEA 4 x 4's back to back and one in the end. It's approximately 33" x 48". So to my question...we put a plywood top on with trim. I stained it last night, but I'm not loving it. Am I crazy to consider painting the top with chalkboard paint. My thought is I could actually use the top with liquid chalk to make notes while working on projects. Thoughts? Thanks!! If it were me, I'd end up with chalk all over my arms, my sleeves, my stomach, my clothing and my project. I'm very talented that way.  |
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Post by mommastruedel on Sept 30, 2016 0:38:03 GMT
Personally I would prefer white board paint or vinyl so you can make notes with dry erase markers. I feel chalk is so messy and would prefer white to black for the table.
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Post by deshacrafts on Sept 30, 2016 1:11:37 GMT
I should have also said after I stained the top I was going to put on 3 coats of floor grade polyurethane, don't know if that makes a difference to anyone's opinion of the plywood. I think I will try a dark stain now and if I don't like that paint it black then poly.
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Post by nlwilkins on Sept 30, 2016 1:33:04 GMT
Personally I would prefer white board paint or vinyl so you can make notes with dry erase markers. I feel chalk is so messy and would prefer white to black for the table. This, to me chalk is too messy to have on the surface of your table. |
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DEX
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,355
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Post by DEX on Sept 30, 2016 1:33:11 GMT
One thing I thought about; the chalk might get all over your projects. Same with a white board although those markers are even messier. You know the rules. You have to post pictures when you are done.  |
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Post by katiekaty on Sept 30, 2016 1:42:07 GMT
I have a large conference table covered with a sheet of plywood cut to the largest size cutting mat I could find at JoAnn's. It's like 3 1/2 feet by6 feet. Best thing ever. I can use an exacto, rotary blade, etc, pins don't bother it, my sewing machine doesn't vibrate much. and it a nice surface to scrap book on.
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Post by Basket1lady on Sept 30, 2016 1:54:40 GMT
I have a large conference table covered with a sheet of plywood cut to the largest size cutting mat I could find at JoAnn's. It's like 3 1/2 feet by6 feet. Best thing ever. I can use an exacto, rotary blade, etc, pins don't bother it, my sewing machine doesn't vibrate much. and it a nice surface to scrap book on. This is what I was going to suggest. Paint/stain/modify the plywood however it makes your skirt fly up. But then get a self healing mat. My studio table is 6'x6' and I love it. I have a self healing mat on half of it and use the other half for various projects. I like being able to cut on the table, paint, pin... it's a mess and then a baby wipe makes it all clean and tidy again. The wooden part that is exposed is a bit scratched up, but I'm not crazy careful about cutting on it. But the thing with a wooden base is that I can refinish it. I've had the table about 13-14 years and I still don't really need to refinish it if I can stand some imperfections (which I can.) So I'd say do what you want with the plywood and someday replace it with a wooden table top. Watch thrift stores and estate sales or scratch and dent sales at a furniture store. I got my table at a scratch and dent sale for $75--there was a big splinter on one corner where it was probably dropped. But DH sanded it and it's just fine for my purposes. So if you could find a table top the right size, you could just add it over the plywood base (taking the legs off the table first). Or just go and buy more plywood--it's inexpensive enough! |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,466
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Sept 30, 2016 2:24:59 GMT
I have a large conference table covered with a sheet of plywood cut to the largest size cutting mat I could find at JoAnn's. It's like 3 1/2 feet by6 feet. Best thing ever. I can use an exacto, rotary blade, etc, pins don't bother it, my sewing machine doesn't vibrate much. and it a nice surface to scrap book on. THIS! I have the ginormous Olfa 3 part mat on my pool table. It's WONDERFUL! |
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Post by deshacrafts on Sept 30, 2016 22:50:37 GMT
I bought some darker stain, I will try to post a picture when it's done. Thanks for all you input.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Oct 1, 2016 15:28:03 GMT
One thing I thought about; the chalk might get all over your projects. Same with a white board although those markers are even messier. You know the rules. You have to post pictures when you are done. Both chalk and whiteboard markers are messy. I have a big 4'x6' antique school chalkboard in my studio that DD draws and writes on frequently and the dust it generates is insane. Then she discovered that I had a 3'x5' whiteboard behind it.  I thought the chalk dust was bad, but the markers are worse. It got all over her sleeves, hands, arms, etc. and then it *didn't* come off of the board itself without the alcohol whiteboard cleaner (which I don't have, sigh). |
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 1, 2016 16:03:10 GMT
One thing I thought about; the chalk might get all over your projects. Same with a white board although those markers are even messier. You know the rules. You have to post pictures when you are done. Both chalk and whiteboard markers are messy. I have a big 4'x6' antique school chalkboard in my studio that DD draws and writes on frequently and the dust it generates is insane. Then she discovered that I had a 3'x5' whiteboard behind it. I thought the chalk dust was bad, but the markers are worse. It got all over her sleeves, hands, arms, etc. and then it *didn't* come off of the board itself without the alcohol whiteboard cleaner (which I don't have, sigh). Try Windex with vinegar or a Magic Eraser. DD had one and loved to play with it. And the spray bottle was just part of the fun. For everyday use, she used the Windex and I would use a Magic Eraser when it got really bad. Saturating a paper towel with the Windex and letting it sit makes a difference as well. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Oct 1, 2016 20:21:46 GMT
Both chalk and whiteboard markers are messy. I have a big 4'x6' antique school chalkboard in my studio that DD draws and writes on frequently and the dust it generates is insane. Then she discovered that I had a 3'x5' whiteboard behind it. I thought the chalk dust was bad, but the markers are worse. It got all over her sleeves, hands, arms, etc. and then it *didn't* come off of the board itself without the alcohol whiteboard cleaner (which I don't have, sigh). Try Windex with vinegar or a Magic Eraser. DD had one and loved to play with it. And the spray bottle was just part of the fun. For everyday use, she used the Windex and I would use a Magic Eraser when it got really bad. Saturating a paper towel with the Windex and letting it sit makes a difference as well. I'll have to get some Windex and try that. I got rid of a lot of the chemical based cleaners like that because they stink so bad. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 2, 2016 0:31:59 GMT
Try Windex with vinegar or a Magic Eraser. DD had one and loved to play with it. And the spray bottle was just part of the fun. For everyday use, she used the Windex and I would use a Magic Eraser when it got really bad. Saturating a paper towel with the Windex and letting it sit makes a difference as well. I'll have to get some Windex and try that. I got rid of a lot of the chemical based cleaners like that because they stink so bad. Maybe Google for a homemade recipe? Although it probably has ammonia in it, which stinks! |
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Post by deshacrafts on Oct 17, 2016 20:52:08 GMT
Bumping for update with picture.
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Post by colleen on Oct 17, 2016 20:53:34 GMT
I love it!
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Post by teri on Oct 17, 2016 21:36:55 GMT
Right now my sewing table/ cutting table is my dining room table.....
Once we get our floors redone I can move the mother-in-law and sister-in-laws stuff out of the extra bedroom and turn it into my sewing room.
2 years ago my husband and I moved back into our business / shop apartment (after 16 years of homeownership). Everyone was using it as a storage facility..... grrrrrrrrrrrrr
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I thought the chalk dust was bad, but the markers are worse. It got all over her sleeves, hands, arms, etc. and then it *didn't* come off of the board itself without the alcohol whiteboard cleaner (which I don't have, sigh).
