NEWTON MAKES

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Hiding Oak Grain

Billy Newton

Want to hide that ugly oak grain? You can do what I did for my most recent project. I took a tile that I found at my home center and turned it into a really cool trivet!  I was walking through my hardware store and stumbled across some cool tiles.  I bought them knowing that I MUST turn them into something.  The tiles were too cool not to.  I decided that we need a trivet so that’s what I made!  Most DIY trivets are a square, trimmed out with wood.  They are a nice, clean look, but not what I was going for.  I wanted to make my trivet for something larger, like for the main course of a meal.  I made it rectangular with handles.  That lets someone easily move it around if need be.  Or, you can lay a spoon or ladle on it. 

To make my trivet, I used tile, MDF, and red oak.  I used dowel joinery to construct the whole project.  I personally do not like the look for red oak or its grain.  It’s too grainy for me.  I used oak because I have a TON of it and it’s really cheap in my area compared to other hardwoods.  To make that oaky oak look less oaky, I filled the grain using a slurry I mixed from water-based wood filler and water.  The watered-down wood filler allows the filler to drip down into the pores and deep grain pockets of the wood.  Since it’s water-based, it dries pretty fast.  I sanded the trivet to 180 grit, just leaving the filler that was embedded into the grain.

I wanted to make my trivet black so it coordinates with the tile.  I sprayed two coats of sanding sealer over the trivet, sanding with 400 grit between coats.  I then sprayed the trivet with General Finishes black poly.  It sprays like a dream!  All I had to do was add a little hot glue, drop in the tile, and I had myself a stylish DIY trivet! 

 

•• About NewtonMakes••

I’m Billy and I make fun things.  Sometimes, it’s something I need like tool storage ideas.  Other times it’s silly or nerdy stuff that I want to build. If you want to get ideas for making stuff, or just want to watch something entertaining then make sure you subscribe.

 

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Here’s a list of tools and materials that I used to make this project. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

•• Tools & Materials ••