Whoa, Doggies!
Today’s DIY project is a pet feeding station. More specifically a dog feeding station.
You could modify it for a cat if you wanted to.
You would obviously make it a whole lot shorter for a cat!
What is cool about this particular feeding station is that it has storage for food inside.
That way you don’t have to go back and forth to fill up the bowl from the bag-very efficient!
You don’t have to build one either. You could modify a crate or an old whiskey box or any number of creative solutions.
The only requirement is that the box lid be the right size for the pet feeding bowls.
Unfortunately, even with all of the wooden boxes that I had laying around here none were the right size for this project.
So, the Silverfox “volunteered” to make me one.
He is so awesome.
Especially when he “volunteers” for projects.
Dog Feeding Station Supplies
The finished size of ours is -10.5″ tall x 10.5″ wide x 22″ long
1″ x 10″-10 feet long Pine
White Chalk Paint
Antique Dark Wax
Dog Bowls
Small Hinges
Step One : Cutting Boards
Cut the board into desired finished lengths.
Ours was 22″ for the front, back, bottom and lid. That is a total of 4 cuts that were 22″ long each.
Now make 2 more cuts 9″ long each. These will be the 2 sides.
Sorry I didn’t get pictures of the cutting of the board.
Step Two : Assembly of the box
Begin assembling the pieces together. We used an air compressor nailer. You can use whatever tools you have handy. Hammer and nails or screws. It is your preference. The Silvefox says to remind you to use woodglue before nailing. It makes for a much tighter joint and a better finished project.
Why didn’t we show this process?
Oh, that’s because we didn’t do it.
Why?
Because our woodglue is frozen because “someone” left it out too close to the window in the garage and it kind-of got too cold and froze.
So, ya, don’t do that.
Be smarter than us and use good woodglue before you assemble your pieces together.
Still on Step Two: Doesn’t the Silverfox have nice hands?
Sheesh how long is Step Two?: Still cute those hands are…..especially when working for me!
Step Three : the lid
Step Three: Take one of the 22″ long pieces and claim it for the lid. Now you are ready to cut the holes for the dog bowls.
First measure your dog bowls. Note: Don’t cut the hole the size of the dog bowl outer ring. It will fall right through. Cut it about 1/2″ smaller than the outer ring or whatever size will cause it to sit flat on the wood lid.
Second draw your circle. Go find you kid’s compass to draw a good circle.
We made a hole with a hole-saw first in order to get our jigsaw blade into the wood. You can also make a starter hole with a very large drill bit.
Here is a nice close up for you to see.
Awesome, assembly done. Now on to the fun stuff.
You guessed it!
PAINTING!
Step Four : Painting
Painting-turn the box upside down-paint 2 coats of chalk spray paint.
Step Five : Staining
Stain the Lid-I used a grey stain by Rustoleum called Sunbleached
You don’t have to stain the lid. You could paint it the same color as the body or you could be creative and paint it a different color.
Step Six : Finishing
Finishing-Waxing or Polyurethane Finish. Your choice of finish. I usually choose wax. This project I chose dark antique wax because I wanted the box to look like it had been sitting in somebody’s grandmother’s attic for a while. Kind of like it was old and crusty-my favorite kind of furniture piece.
I am finding that the best way to use antique dark wax on flat surfaces is to use it along with regular wax. Put on the regular wax first and then put on the dark wax. It is way easier to blend that way.
I also discovered a cool trick for this project that I hadn’t known before. If after you let the wax dry for just a few minutes and then use your electric sander with 120 grit paper on it to “buff/sand it” it gives the finish a really cool extra layer of “crustiness” that looks a lot more natural.
Look at all that vintage, old, crusty, goodness!
Done…..Well, not quite. I am going to stencil the dog’s name on it.
That is way to much unused white space with no labeling.
He might not know whose food it is.
Just kidding.
Dogs can’t read.
Poor kitty, Ella.
She was photo bombing when I was trying to take pictures.
She has no idea how her life is about to change.
Two of my kids are in California right now picking up the dog that this feeding station is for.
His name is Radar.
He is a new member of our family.
Relax now Ella, take a nice long nap…..because in a few short hours all hell is going to break loose for you and your other naughty fur buddies!
Look out!
Next week I will do a part 2 on the stenciling of his name and show some pictures of our new family member.
Let us know in the comments below what you think.
Send us some photos of your projects. We would love to hear from you!
Looks awesome. Radar is one lucky dog 😄
We are lucky he is coming from such a great place! All of the hard work has already been done for us. Thanks for trusting us with such a great dog!