Not really technical or engineering but it is a project, so here goes.

My first attempt at an oval Ottoman. I needed to fill a space in our newly extended bedroom. (another project that can I can show if anyone is interested). The dimensions are 1400mm x 900mm and 500mm high. Large and heavy!

I've done lots of square and rectangle ones but not oval. The challenge was making the side supports. I ended up using a flexible board and flat pieces of wood as I went along. The ends with the sharper curves are constructed from flat wood. Almost like stacking a lot of dominoes. The more gentle curves are made from Masonite.

This piece is the top of the base. The lid sits on top and can be removed to make it a large storage box. Good for cushions, blankets etc. The piece that got cutout fit back onto the lid so that the lid locates in exactly the correct position.
I used a simple string method to draw the shape. Found a cool site that is useful for drawings and formulas. http://www.blocklayer.com/Oval.aspx Enter the dimensions, nail into place, cut a piece of string and then carefully draw out the oval.

This is the base already covered. I never took a pic of it uncovered. You can see the flat pieces of wood that support the top and bottom.


Lid with buttons position being decided. Not easy to get the ideal positions because of the shape.

Just need to drill holes, secure batting and foam and then material.

The lid about to get buttoned up. Always start with the middle button.
Here you need a second person to help hold the fabric with the correct tension.

And finally finished! I am chuffed at the outcome. The diamond tufting is not perfect but not too bad for a first attempt.

Cost to make = R1000
Cost to buy similar = R5000
Saving = about R4000
Satisfaction = priceless!

While I'm on a roll....

Adding railings to the patio area just off the new extension.

No before. Just use imagination.

DuringBolting uprights to bricks.

Nearly there.

Finished.I also made the plant holders. I wanted something different. These look just fine.

Nice work.

Very nice work, wouldn't mind that ottoman in my house...just a different colour.

Nice!

What was the "flexible board" that you used for the ottoman?

Blackadder wrote:That's a nice piece of work. Did you use sponge foam for the stuffing? And how did you secure the edges of the fabric cover underneath the lid? Staples?

Thanks.

Only the lid has high 50mm density foam covered with batting so you can sit on it comfortably. The main box has only batting around it. Batting is a fibrous white material. Almost like Father Xmas beard material. It gives a plush feel to it overall. A very light material. A whole bag can be lifted with a baby finger.

All material fastened with staples and then trimmed to neaten it up. Thereafter, I use contact adhesive to hold the material down forever.

I heard that batting might be called Dacron in certain parts of the world.

John Platko wrote:Nice!

What was the "flexible board" that you used for the ottoman?

i only know it as Masonite. Normally a hard compressed board used as a backing to TV cabinets etc. sometimes has a white finish on one side for show purposes. Normally 3mm thick. Cuts easily but can leave feathers on the cut edge. Bends well but snaps just as easily. Cannot be wet like plain wood to shape it, the glue comes undone and it swells.

You must have a similar product.

Adco wrote:

John Platko wrote:Nice!

What was the "flexible board" that you used for the ottoman?

i only know it as Masonite. Normally a hard compressed board used as a backing to TV cabinets etc. sometimes has a white finish on one side for show purposes. Normally 3mm thick. Cuts easily but can leave feathers on the cut edge. Bends well but snaps just as easily. Cannot be wet like plain wood to shape it, the glue comes undone and it swells.

You must have a similar product.

Yes we have Masonite. I thought it might be something exotic like:

John Platko wrote:

Adco wrote:

John Platko wrote:Nice!

What was the "flexible board" that you used for the ottoman?

i only know it as Masonite. Normally a hard compressed board used as a backing to TV cabinets etc. sometimes has a white finish on one side for show purposes. Normally 3mm thick. Cuts easily but can leave feathers on the cut edge. Bends well but snaps just as easily. Cannot be wet like plain wood to shape it, the glue comes undone and it swells.

You must have a similar product.

Yes we have Masonite. I thought it might be something exotic like:

That looks like a really nice product to work with. We don't have that here. Those ribs look strong. I had to make ribs out of plain wood. This product would have saved time.

That ottoman is impressive work.
I also like the rails you put up & especially like those planters against the wall - did you make those yourself?

Re: bendy MDF, I used that to make a curved bath panel to replace the horrible plastic one we inherited. It worked pretty well & I was able to paint it to match the tongue & groove panelling I put on the walls (to cover the naff tiles).

laklak wrote:Nice work on both, mate. I really like the railings, going to put a wood deck with railings on a rental house next spring. So I can charge more rent and exploit those less fortunate than me, of course.

Yup, it's adds an extra touch.

EDIT next time the Mrs. and I are in Joeys we need to hook up for a beer or three.

How often do you come out?

Emmeline wrote:That ottoman is impressive work.
I also like the rails you put up & especially like those planters against the wall - did you make those yourself?

Re: bendy MDF, I used that to make a curved bath panel to replace the horrible plastic one we inherited. It worked pretty well & I was able to paint it to match the tongue & groove panelling I put on the walls (to cover the naff tiles).

Yup, made with these hands to keep them out of mischief.

I try and make everything myself. There are exceptions that I don't have the necessary machinery for but most things in the house I build myself. Woodwork, mechanics, electrical or electronics is fair game. If I can visualise it, I give it a bash. Fun in my old age.

laklak wrote:Usually every other year, they come here one year and we go there the next. Not going to make it this year though, too much going on, so probably next July or August. I miss Swaziland.

I didn't enjoy Swaziland about two years ago. Not sure why. Guess I was expecting too much. Nice countryside and people but too much poverty.

Adco wrote:

Emmeline wrote:That ottoman is impressive work.
I also like the rails you put up & especially like those planters against the wall - did you make those yourself?

Re: bendy MDF, I used that to make a curved bath panel to replace the horrible plastic one we inherited. It worked pretty well & I was able to paint it to match the tongue & groove panelling I put on the walls (to cover the naff tiles).

Yup, made with these hands to keep them out of mischief.

I try and make everything myself. There are exceptions that I don't have the necessary machinery for but most things in the house I build myself. Woodwork, mechanics, electrical or electronics is fair game. If I can visualise it, I give it a bash. Fun in my old age.

Fun in your old age? I'm 6 years older than you and I'm not old yet!

If you have time, could you explain how you made the planters?

Emmeline wrote:

Adco wrote:

Emmeline wrote:That ottoman is impressive work.
I also like the rails you put up & especially like those planters against the wall - did you make those yourself?

Re: bendy MDF, I used that to make a curved bath panel to replace the horrible plastic one we inherited. It worked pretty well & I was able to paint it to match the tongue & groove panelling I put on the walls (to cover the naff tiles).

Yup, made with these hands to keep them out of mischief.

I try and make everything myself. There are exceptions that I don't have the necessary machinery for but most things in the house I build myself. Woodwork, mechanics, electrical or electronics is fair game. If I can visualise it, I give it a bash. Fun in my old age.

Fun in your old age? I'm 6 years older than you and I'm not old yet!

If you have time, could you explain how you made the planters?

I'll try scratch out a few pics tomorrow. I don't have any on my iPad to put up. It was really simple. Four tongue and groove planks cut to size. two rear bracing pieces to hold them together. When you have four sets of panels, screw them together. Put a cross piece about a third of the way down that the flower pots can rest on. The black vertical strips are mild steel strips bent into angles and secured with silicon. All very firm. Oh, all the wood is varnished for long term protection. That's it basically. I can give more details if needed. There are no plans. I just get an idea and make it work.

Nice work Adco

Those plant holders look expensive!