If you want custom furniture in your home or just starting in woodworking, coffee tables are easy to make.An apron hangs down underneath the table and the legs.You can make your own table with a few simple tools.
Step 1: 2 pieces of 1 in 4 in wood are cut to 42 in long.
Measure the length of your board and mark where you will use a pencil.An 8 feet board can be cut with a saw.If you don't have access to a saw, you can use a handsaw.While working with power tools, wear eye protection.You can use any wood you want.If you want to save money, use pine or oak.If you want an upscale look that's also durable, use maple or walnuts.
Step 2: 3 1 in 4 in boards to 24 in 61 cm.
If you want to cut the 3 shorter pieces with a hand saw, use another 8 ft board.Make sure the edges are straight.Depending on how much space you have, the size of the table can be different.
Step 3: The boards are on the floor.
The narrow sides should be on the ground.Place the shorter boards between the longer ones to form corners.To form a support beam, put the third board in the middle.To make the corners look cleaner, cut the ends of the boards to a 45 degree angle.
Step 4: The corners of the boards need to be secured.
Two finishing nails should be used on the sides of the 42 boards.To hold the shorter pieces in place, pound 2 nails through the boards on each end.As you secure the boards, make sure the corners are flush.The apron on the underside of the table is where you can attach the legs.
Step 5: If you want a solid tabletop, use a 48 in 28 in plywood sheet.
A solid piece of plywood is at least 2.5 cm thick.You should use the same type of wood that you used to make the apron.It's not as sturdy as chipboard or particle board.Bring the board down to size by cutting it with a table saw.It's a good idea to visit your local lumber yard to see if they can cut it for you.
Step 6: You can make the surface out of multiple boards.
Purchase 3 1 in 10 in boards that are 4 ft long.The boards should be placed in the middle of the apron so that they are 8 in (20 cm) from each end.The edges should be marked with a pencil.If you want to use a lot of wood, you can use thinner or wider boards.
Step 7: The apron has wood glue on it.
Take the boards off the apron.Put a line of wood glue on top of the apron and spread it across the surface with a foam brush or finger.Use the edge of your foam brush to wipe off wood glue.Only put wood glue on the apron where you'll put the middle board if you want to make a tabletop out of multiple boards.
Step 8: There's 1–2 in of overhang if you press the tabletop onto the apron.
Press the sheet of plywood or the middle board onto the surface and hold it there for 30 seconds to 1 minute.The glue will hold better if there is a maximum amount of coverage.If you don't want to hold the wood in place after setting it down, place something heavy on the spots you glue.Wood glue can dry in 20 minutes.
Step 9: Place it in the place you want it to be.
The finishing nails and hammer are needed to keep the table in place.Put the nails in from the top of the table.2 nails are put into the middle of the apron as well as at each end.The nails need to be against the table's surface.You need to glue and nail down 1 board at a time.There are areas of the table that are away from the apron.Put in more nails if you notice it happening.Even though wood glue takes 24 hours to set completely, you can keep building if you nail the table to the apron.
Step 10: If you flip the table over, it will be upside-down.
Lift the overhang of the table.The apron should face the ceiling if the table is tipped up and over.Place the table on the ground.If the table is too heavy to lift on your own, ask a friend to help.If you slide your hands against the wood grain, you could get a splinter.
Step 11: Cut four in 4 in (10 cm ) plywood into 17 in (43 cm) long pieces.
Cut down an 8 ft piece of wood into 4 equal sections using a hand saw.Make sure the ends of the pieces are straight.To flatten the ends of your wood pieces, use a sander.The table's height should be adjusted to how tall you want it.
Step 12: Pre-drill the corners and legs.
The drill bit should be slightly smaller than the screws.The sides of the legs should be against the apron so that the 4 in 4 pieces are in each corner.To make sure the drill goes into the leg, make 2 holes from the end of the apron.The process should be repeated on the other side of the leg.The height of the holes should be staggered so that screws don't run into one another.
Step 13: Construction screws from the apron are put into each leg.
Attach the legs with an electric screwdriver and hold the screws in the holes you drilled.The screws need to be tightened until they are flush with the wood's surface.Light and dark colored screws can be used to hide them better.
Step 14: Sand the legs if they don't lay down.
If the table sits crooked on the floor, it's time to flip it.If so, shorten the legs so they are even with the shortest one.If you have access to an electric belt sander, it will work faster.The table may still wobble if you over sand the legs.
Step 15: Put a sanding block on the table.
All the surfaces on your table should be smooth with a 320-grit sanding block.There is no chance of anyone getting a splinter if you work across the top, sides, legs, and apron.If you don't want them to have a sharp edge, round the corners.If you want to get your work done faster, use an electric sander.If you have sawdust in your eyes, wear a face mask and eye protection.
Step 16: It's a good idea to stain the wood.
Depending on the rest of the room's design, choose a dark or light stain.Let the stain drips off if you dip the paintbrush into it.Work in long strokes to coat the table.To get a uniform finish, wipe off excess stain with a dry cloth.Add a second coat after the stain has dried for 8 hours.It's a good idea to put your table on a tarp.
Step 17: Make the wood a solid color by painting it.
Put a thin coat of primer on the surface of your table so that the paint can bond easier and stay true to its color.Before putting on any paint, allow the primer to dry for 1-2 hours.Work in long strokes along the wood grain to coat the table.Allow the paint to dry for 3-4 hours before applying a second coat.The table should be painted a color that matches other furniture in the room.
Step 18: Apply a wood finish.
When applying the finish, work in aventilated area.To seal the wood, use a paintbrush and work with the grain of the table.Apply a second coat after the first one has dried for an hour or two.The finish can be purchased at a hardware store.