Sometimes I pick up a piece that needs a major overhaul but a quick fix to bring it back to life until my brain and wallet are ready to invest in the piece. Take example this $10 outdoor coffee table. It is rough looking but the metal frame is in great shape and I know finding a new insert is relatively cheap online.
The lincane insert is not my favorite style and was coming off in one corner. It wasn’t rusted out but looked as though someone broke the welds or started to remove the insert and gave up. Either way I needed an outdoor coffee table that could hold up to our harsh tropical conditions and this table was a great candidate. So off I went to make this piece function for my family…
First I grabbed some C-clamps to get the metal bent back into shape around the frame. After letting it sit for a few days because life got in the way I JB welded that cane insert to the frame.
For those not familiar with JB weld it is a two part process, make sure you get an even mix of metal and hardener. Swirl them together and get to slopping it on your project. When applying JB weld everyone has their own method but in this case since I was wanting a bond between the insert and frame I used a dental pick to get between the two pieces of metal and a wooden shim to apply around the edge of the insert and frame. There is no wrong way to apply JB weld so don’t be scared just get it on your project.
When I spray paint this table and get a glass top cut I will update its progress. But for now this table serves its function as a place to put our drinks and crap when we are outside.
When the time comes this table will have the insert removed, be sandblasted, new insert welded in, and powder coated. But that time isn’t now and the JB weld buys me a few years until I find the time to invest in repairing this table. No one will ever see the JB weld unless they get all up under my coffee table and inspect it. But the quick fix has given it new life!
Note mix JB weld inside stinks and is messy. Plus you don’t want to scrub it out of anything cause it smears. Get creative with your fixes and don’t be afraid to be imperfect.
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