How to Make a Simple 2-by-4 End Table

Building a simple end table is a great beginner's woodworking project. Professionals use exotic woods and complicated tools to create elaborate pieces of furniture, but for the beginner, a few 2-by-4s will make a very attractive end table for indoor or outdoor use. When using 2-by-4s to build a table, it is important to choose a high grade of lumber. This ensures that there are few knots and the wood grain is fairly consistent, making the wood easier to work with. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure 18 inches on one 2-by-4 and make a mark. Set the cutting angle of the compound miter saw to 45 degrees. Set the 2-by-4 on the compound miter saw so it is upright against the fence. The mark you made will be point of the angle you are cutting. Press the trigger and cut the 2-by-4 along the mark slowly, making sure that the board stays pressed against the fence and your hands are clear of the blade. Then cut the opposite end of the 2-by-4 at the same 45-degree angle using the edge of the 2-by-4 as your guide and making sure that the point is on the same side as the opposite cut. Repeat this process until you have four 18-inch side pieces

2

Measure 30 inches on a 2-by-4 and cut it with a compound miter saw. The saw should be set back to 90 degrees before cutting, which reads "0" on the compound miter saw. Repeat this eight times.

3

Move the fence on the table saw to 1 3/4 inches and lock it into place. Turn on the table saw, and cut the 2-by-4s that you cut in Step 2 lengthwise. This will give you sixteen 1 3/4-inch pieces.

4

Measure back from the pointed sides on each piece you cut from Step 1 exactly 3/4 inch and drill a small pilot hole with a cordless drill. Apply wood glue to the inside of each piece on the beveled edges only and put them together to form a square. Attach the pieces by inserting screws into the pilot holes and tightening with the cordless drill.

5

Drill small pilot holes every 6 inches along the center of eight of the 1 3/4-inch pieces from Step 3. Then cut 2 1/2 inches off one end of the pieces with your compound miter saw. Put wood glue on the back of the pieces and lay them flat on the other eight pieces, lining up the bottoms. Attach the pieces by inserting screws into the pilot holes and screwing them in with the screw gun.

6

Take the leg pieces you just made in Step 5 and line them up on the corners of the 2-by-4 square you made in Step 4. Apply wood glue on the longer portion of the table leg and line it up on the edge of the table. Attach from the back side of the 2-by-4 table top with screws using the cordless drill.

Repeat until all of the leg pieces are attached.

7

Attach the leg pieces to each other by drilling pilot holes in the center and bottom of each leg. Put wood glue between the pieces and insert screws, tightening with the cordless drill.

8

Fill all screw holes with wood putty and sand with 80-grit sandpaper. Wipe the table clean and sand again with 120-grit sandpaper

9

Cut two pieces of 2-by-4 boards the length of the inside of the table frame using the compound miter saw. The two pieces should fit snugly between the 2-by-4 sides. Cut two more pieces, but make them 3 inches shorter than the first two board.

10

Set the table saw fence to 3 inches and cut the boards from Step 9 lengthwise. Screw the boards to the inside of the table frame, lining the boards up 1/4 inch below the top of the table frame. Do not use wood glue in case adjustments need to be made. Add a piece of glass that fits inside the frame for the table top and rests on the 2-by-4s you have just installed.