Steps of Construction for Coffee Tables

Coffee tables come in all shapes and sizes, but when you think about making one for the first time, you probably picture a simple rectangular coffee table. This is the most popular type of coffee table for a do-it-yourself project. Does this Spark an idea?

Cut the Table Parts

Before you can begin assembling your coffee table, you need to select the type of wood you will use. Oak, cherry wood and maple are good choices for a coffee table. Begin by cutting four 16-inch legs that are 2x2 inches. Cut two top rails that are 37 inches long and another two top rails that are 16 inches long. Cut one table top 2x4 feet, at least 3/4-inch thick. Cut four corner supports that are 6 inches long and angled at 45 degrees on both ends (like a triangle). Cut two fillets that are 6 inches and two fillets that are 28 inches. In addition to the cut table parts, you will also need four 6-inch coach bolts and some washers and wing-nuts, thirty 1-inch screws and 16 2-inch screws.

Attach the Top Rails to the Tabletop

To attach the top rails to the tabletop, turn the tabletop so that the underside is facing up. Lay the top rails so that they touch each other at the corners and are centered, leaving the same amount of tabletop overlap on each side of the rails. Place the four fillets against the rails, inside the frame formed by the rails, and screw through the fillets and into the tabletop with 1-inch screws. Then screw the fillets to the top rails. You might want to use a drill for the screw holes.

Add the Corner Supports

Place each of the four corner supports in the corners, butting up to the top rails. Fasten them by using four of the 2-inch screws on each corner.

Shave the Table Legs

Using a chisel, shave from the top of each leg, on one of the long right-angled edges, to about 2 inches down. The cut should be about 3/8 inches deep. This will allow the bolt head to rest on a flat section of wood.

Attach the Legs

To attach the legs of the table to the top rails, drill a hole through each of the corner supports and each of the legs. Drill the holes a little larger than the thickness of the coach bolts. Then put the bolts in and tighten them.

Finish the Table

Now that the table is built, you can add some a finish by staining, painting, oiling or varnishing the table. Or if you want it to have a homemade look, leave it as it is and enjoy the natural wood.