How to Make a Fake Cowboy Saloon Table

In theatre, stage props are often not what they appear to be. Making fake stage props saves a lot of money, as well as time. This is especially true when it comes to needed stage props that relate to a specific time period, where the cost of obtaining actual items would be too great. One such item is a cowboy saloon table. Traditionally made of wood, you can make your fake cowboy saloon table out of non-traditional materials for a fraction of the cost and just a little of your time.

Instructions

Construction

1

Fold down the flaps on a cardboard box that is about 30 inches tall and about 2 feet wide. Fold down the small flaps together, then fold down the larger flaps over the small ones. Tape the flaps down with duct or masking tape on both ends of the box.

2

Position the box so that when you look down on it it stands in a diamond shape.

3

Draw 4-foot circles on two sheets of cardboard. To make the perfect circle use a pencil to mark a spot in the middle of the cardboard sheet. Then measure out 2 feet of string and tack one end of the string on top of the dot with a thumbtack. Tape a pencil to the other end of the string and pull the string firmly as you press down on the cardboard with the end of the pencil and walk around the cardboard sheet, drawing the circular pattern for your tabletop as you walk until the circle is complete. Remove the tack and string when done.

4

Cut out the two circular patterns with a utility knife.

5

Glue the two sheets of cardboard together with craft glue and allow to completely dry. Apply craft glue to the top of the standing box, then center the tabletop on the box and press it down on the standing box firmly, again allowing the glue to dry.

Paint

6

Paint the top and bottom of your table with dark brown flat acrylic paint and a paintbrush. Make sure that you paint over any exposed cardboard on the table and allow the paint to dry. Apply two coats of paint, if needed.

7

Dip the very tip of a -inch dry paintbrush in a can of flat black paint. It is very important that you only coat the tip of the brush with as little paint as possible.

8

Lightly tap the tip of the brush bristles on one edge of the table and sweep the brush across the table without pressing down. You want the paint to streak across the table, not cover the brown paint. You are creating a wood grain effect. Wipe off the tip of the brush and continue creating streaks across the table top and on the base of the table with your paintbrush, remembering to wipe any excess paint off of the brush before each application. Streak your paint across the table top and up and down on the table base, following a normal wood grain pattern. Allow the black paint to dry.

9

Streak the table again, this time using a medium brown flat paint and your paintbrush. Streak the entire table, top and base with the same streaking technique. Allow the medium brown paint to dry.