Making End Tables

End tables are a must for living rooms, dining rooms and lounge areas. They provide additional space for lamps and television remotes, while adding aesthetically to the room. Victorian to contemporary end tables all add something different to the ambiance of the room. Contemporary tables tend to be more simplistic in design, and a little smaller than other end tables. Cube end tables are popular in design, and when they are made of a decorative wood such as oak, a combination of a modern and organic feel is added to the room. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Set your fence on the table saw so it is 14 inches away from the blade. Set the blade at a 45-degree angle toward the fence. Cut the edges of each oak board so they are beveled at a 45-degree angle. All of the angles should be cut on the same side of the board. Cut the edges on three sides of four of the boards, and cut all of the edges on the last board. The board with all the edges cut is the top board for the end table. All of these 45-degree edges will form right angles to your end table. The idea is to hide the end grain to the wood with this type of joint.

2

Lay one of the oak boards with three beveled edges flat so that the beveled edges are visible. Screw a pine board to the oak board so it is flush with where the beveled edge reaches its full thickness. One of the ends should be flush with the edge of the board that isn't cut, so that the other end is one inch away from the end of the oak board. Repeat this process on the opposite side of the board, and then screw two pine boards to another oak board with three beveled edges in the same manner.

3

Position one of the oak boards with the pine boards attached so it is standing on its non-beveled edge. Screw through the pine boards, into another oak board so that both oak boards create a 90-degree angle. The second oak board should have no pine boards attached to it, and the beveled edges should be joined together with a flush edge. Repeat this process with two other oak boards. Do not use the top oak board. Connect both sets of oak boards by screwing through the pine boards into the oak. All of the beveled edges should be on top, and the corners should be flush.

4

Wipe the beveled edges with your damp cloth and run a bead of glue over the edges. Set the last board on top so that the beveled edges are touching. Place a clamp on each side of the table top and apply even pressure over the table. The clamps should be applying noticeable pressure, but not a lot of pressure. Let the glue dry according to instructions.

5

Sand down the entire project with medium and fine grade sandpaper. Wipe the table down with a damp cloth. Apply wood stain and let dry according to instructions.