Build a Console Sink??? :)

[Gina]

Hi all,

Hubby and I are going to redo our bathroom, and I love the look of a console sink (see: [link:http://bathandmore.com/12-164.htm|http://bathandmore.com/12-164.htm] for an example), however they are cost-prohibitive right now. They are over $1500 and we don't have that kind of money to spend on one thing ;-)

So, we got a crazy idea to make one out of a regular countertop/sink, wood and premade furniture legs. But we're having a hard time getting all the pieces together to make a plan and finding the best way to do it. We think maybe one of those countertops that have the sink molded in would be a good thing. I think we'll need a "box" under the countertop/sink to hide the underside of the sink, and at least 29" table legs. But from there, we're stuck.

If you experienced wood workers out there decided to try making one of these things (or would you--are we nuts?), how would you do it?

Thanks,
Gina

[WoodMangler]

No sweat... :)

I'd make a 4 sided apron, like I was making a table, that the top would fit on with a small amount that hung over. I'd get some legs from Rockler or someone (can't turn my own yet...but that's coming up! ) and I'd attach the apron to the legs using a mortise & tenon for strength...the back apron would get screwed into 2 studs in the wall. Depending on the rest of the bathroom decor, you could also do a little scroll work either into the front apron, or glue on some commercially bought wood appliques.

http://bathandmore.com/12-164.gif

[Gina]

>I'd make a 4 sided apron, like I was making a table, that
>the top would fit on with a small amount that hung over.

My husband and I are very new to woodworking, we're not sure what you mean by 'apron'--is there a diagram online for such a thing? :-P I think I would get the rest of your description from an understanding of an apron :)

Thanks,
Gina

[Gina]

Ah! Okay, I knew the 'look' but not the term ;-) Well, it will be a good experience for hubby to learn mortise and tenon! The only snag I see in your drawing is that we have to put a countop/sink over the apron, and it *looks* like the top front part of the apron is not flush with the top of the legs. That means (probably) there would be a gap under the countertop.

Is that gap necessary? Or was it just so we could see the difference between the apron and the leg? We thought of just putting the aquare part of the leg on the inside corners of the 'box' to make it easy, but yours looks better ;-)

[Danford C Jennings]

Gina,

Marc's diagram was primarily to show you the components and is just one approach. To have the apron flush to the front of the legs, offset blind mortise and tenon or haunched mortise and tenon would be used, I'd recommend the latter. The rails would also be flush with the tops of the leg.

Still another approach and what would more closely resemble the photograph would be to make the apron using radiused corner blocks, then mount the turned legs inside at the corners with bearer rails to support the sink bowl. The top will be problematic if it is to overhang the bowl, if I were commissioned to do this the top would be done out of Corian or similar product. FWIW.

Dano

[WoodMangler]

I just kinda "whipped" the drawing out when I read your post to show what an apron is...Like Dano said there's lots of variations on this. I would also do what Dano said...use a corian top, and cut/install a sink and fittings.

[WoodMangler]

With limited experience, this will be a rather "advanced" undertaking... to be honest :)