Do it Yourself: Gate Leg Table

Gate leg tables are popular in small areas because they are compact. A Gate leg table is a table that has leafs attached to the end of the table that the gate legs fold out and hold up to extend the length of the table. Gate leg tables are normally smaller tables used for having coffee or playing cards. This gate leg table had two leafs, one on each end. Tables can be created to have one of four leafs depending on the style the builder likes. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure the 29-inch boards and mark 14 inches from one end of each board. Using the protractor mark a 2-degree taper from the mark to the end of the boards. Cut the taper out of the boards with a taper jig.

2

Lay the 20-inch boards on a flat surface and make a square with the boards. Turn the boards on their side so that you have a 3-1/2-inch tall square. Place L brackets on the corners and screw the brackets into the boards.

3

Lay the 20-inch boards on a flat surface and make a square with the boards. Turn the boards on their side so that you have a 3-1/2-inch tall square. Place L brackets on the corners and screw the brackets into the boards.

4

Place one of the 29-inch boards in each corner with the taper of the board at the bottom. These are the legs. Screw these legs into place.

5

Line the frame and legs on the bottom of the 24-inch board. To do this, lay the board upside down, and place the frame and legs in the middle of the board. Attach the 24 inch board to the frame with L brackets around the frame. Place two L brackets on each side, even paced.

6

Attach two drop-leaf hinges on one end of each 12-inch board. Place the hinges a 1/2-inch from the edge. Lay the 12-inch boards on the ends of the table as if the table was fully extended and attach the hinges to the bottom of the table top.

7

Measure 10 inches from the corner of the frame on each end where a leaf is attached and mark this location with a pencil. Lay the 8-inch boards on the leafs flush with the pencil mark you just made. Attach these boards to the frame with the gate-leg hinges.

8

Screw the two remaining 29-inch boards on the ends of the 8-inch boards to create the gate legs.

9

Stain or paint the table and allow it to dry