How to make a coffee table

This step by step diy woodworking project is about how to make a coffee table. If you want to learn more about building a coffee table we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in the article. Work with good judgement and take a look over the rest of the table projects, as there are many woodworking plans to choose from. Adjust the design of the table to fit your needs.

Before starting the actual construction project, we recommend you to plan everything, as to save money and to keep the costs under control. Adjust the size and the design of the coffee table to suit your needs. In addition, we recommend you to invest in high-quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar, as they have a nice finish and are highly durable, especially in a humid environment.

If you don’t have a rich expertise in woodworking field, you should ask a friend to give you a hand with the project. There are many things that you could go wrong, so make sure you plan everything and invest in quality materials. Select the lumber with attention, making sure the components are perfectly straight and in a very good condition. Use a carpentry square to check if the corners are right-angled. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Coffee table plans

Building a coffee table

Materials

A – 4 pieces of 2×3 lumber – 19″ long LEGS
B – 2 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 21″ long, 2 pieces of 2×3 lumber – 14″ long SUPPORTS
C – 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 24″ long, 2 pieces – 43″ long FRAME
D – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 24″x43″ long TABLETOP
E – 1 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 11″x40″ long SHELF

1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
1 piece of 2×3 lumber – 10 ft
1 piece of 1×3 lumber – 4 ft
1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 12 ft
2 1/2″ screws
1 1/4″ screws
glue, stain
wood filler

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Apply several coats of wood stain to the wooden components
Fill the holes with wood filler and smooth the surface

Time

One Day

Coffee table plans

Building the legs

The first step of the project is to build the legs of the coffee table. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to cut both ends of the 2×3 legs at 60 degrees, by using a nice miter saw. Continue the project by making the 90-degree cuts to the top of the legs. Smooth the edges with sandpaper, as to make sure the surface is perfectly clean and even.

Building the sides of the table

The next step of the project is to fit the supports between the wooden legs, in order to create a rigid structure for the coffee table. Work with attention and cut both ends of the bottom supports at 60 degrees before locking them into place with galvanized screws. Attach the 1×3 tabletop supports to the V-shaped legs and secure it into place with galvanized screws. Add waterproof glue to the joints in order to create a rigid structure.

Fitting the bottom shelf

Cut the bottom shelf out of 3/4″ plywood and secure it into place with galvanized screws. Smooth the edges of the plywood sheet and secure it into place tightly. Drill pocket holes through the bottom supports and insert screws into the bottom shelf.

Building the tabletop

Building the tabletop is a straight-forward process, so make sure you pay attention to the instructions. Cut the tabletop at the right size and reinforce the plywood sheet with the 1×2 frame. Drill pocket holes through the frame and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the tabletop. Add waterproof glue to the joints in order to create a rigid structure.

Attaching the tabletop

Attach the frame of the coffee table over the tabletop, drill pilot holes through the supports and insert screws into the tabletop. Add waterproof glue to the joints in order to create a rigid structure.

How to build a make table

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Afterwards, smooth the wooden surface with fine-grit sandpaper and vacuum the residues.

Thank you for reading our project about how to make a coffee table plans and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to share our projects with your friends and LIKE us. SUBSCRIBE by using the social media widgets, if you want to be the first that gets our latest articles.

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