Making a wooden table is a great project for a novice carpenter, but also for more experienced carpenters. In this wikihow article, we'll show you the steps to make a sturdy little coffee table.
Steps
Step 1. Get a paper, pencil, ruler and a design plan
- Make a sketch of the project, for now, don't worry about the size.
- Once the drawing is made with the approximate dimensions. Remember that the dimensions will vary according to the type of table you intend to build. In other words, a dining table will be different in size than a nightstand.
- Consider where you will place the coffee table after building it. The dimensions will have to adapt to the available space.
Step 2. Calculate the amount of wood needed to build the table
Add some material, just in case.
Step 3. Buy the wood
For most beginners, starting with a soft wood like pine is a good start. For a better yield try using poplar. If the table will be placed outdoors, you can use treated wood or redwood.
Step 4. Assemble the tabletop
There are two ways to do this:
- It uses planking, that is, wooden planks.
-
Use a single plank of wood. So you can save and work better.
Step 5. Cut, glue, secure the table and leave it overnight
Step 6. Create a table stand
(the under-table) It is a wooden base that attaches to the table top and helps to support the legs, preventing lateral movement. To carry out the support:
- Measure from the edge of the table a few cm beyond. The width may vary depending on the size of the table. Mark the location.
- Turn the tabletop over and draw a square on the bottom.
- Cut pieces of wood for the sides and front.
- Glue and pin these pieces to the lines of the underside of the table.
Step 7. Assemble the legs
- Cut a table leg to the size you want.
- Cut the other three remaining to an approximate size.
- Join and lock the four pieces.
- Cut the four table legs so they are the same length, using the first one as a guide.
- Then sand the four parts, using an electric sander so they are smooth. Be careful, don't sand the top or bottom of the legs too much, you could ruin the right angle cuts.
Make a Table Step 8 Step 8. Secure your legs
- Turn the table upside down
- Place the first leg in a corner of the "under table", with the top against the bottom of the table, along the sides.
- Apply glue to the upper part of the leg, on the inside of the "under table".
- Lock the leg with screws.
- Check that the leg is at right angles to the table top. Adjust the screws if necessary.
- Repeat with the other three legs.
- Once everything is assembled and checked, glue and lock the legs in the right position.
- Alternatively, a screw can be inserted into the top of the leg from the top of the table (optional step).
Step 9. Wait for the glue to dry
Step 10. Turn the table over to see if it is stable, place it on a flat floor and do some testing
Step 11. Sand the table as desired
Step 12. Alternatively, apply some type of treatment to the wood, such as varnish or oil
Advice
- Do not use nails to fix furniture. You could damage wood and using a hammer requires more skill than you commonly think. Also, the screws hold longer and can be removed if you make a mistake.
- When placing a screw, drill a test hole to avoid splitting the wood.
- Consider using recycled wood. You can find it on the street or on construction sites. This will take more effort, but by doing so, you will save the trees, and you will be able to produce fabulous furniture, while with wood from fresher cuts it will be impossible.
- When cutting the wood for the support parts, first cut one piece in order to assemble it with the clamp to the other pieces and then proceed by cutting the others to the same length.
- Ask your wood supplier for advice.
- You can buy and download table designs online for better orientation.
Warnings
- Beware of vapors from protective wood varnishes.
- Use your work tools responsibly, a minimum of distraction is enough to hurt yourself.
- Follow the various safety lines when using tools: use eye and ear protection. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and a dust mask. Wood dust can cause allergies and cause cancer. Never put your hands in front of a cutting tool of any kind.
