8x4=2 (2 Tables From 1 Sheet of Plywood)

by barnabygunning

65K51930

Intro: 8x4=2 (2 Tables From 1 Sheet of Plywood)

Use a simple template to create 2 tables from a single sheet of 24mm ply or 1 table from a single sheet of 12mm ply.

We use an early version of this table as work benches in our studio. We had them laser cut out of oriented strand board, sometimes known as stirling board.

In retrospect we realised that water jet cutting would have been a better option - the 'burned' edges from the laser cutting look quite cool but tends to leave you with black marks on your hands.

STEP 1: Download the Cutting Template

If you want to cut the table by hand then download the 1:10 scale pdf drawing

or the dimensioned 1:10 scale pdf drawing

Alternatively you can use the dxf cutting template and have the timber CNC cut, laser cut or water jet cut.

I will add some links to waterjet cutting people here soon.

STEP 2: Cut the Ply

If you are brave enough to cut this by hand you will need to mark up the upper face of a 1220mmx2440mm sheet using the downloaded drawing.

The design is fairly tolerant of inaccuracy in the jigsaw cutting but you will need to cut the slotted holes in the lid to provide a tolerant holes for the tabs on the leg frames.

If you are using 12mm ply you will need to glue and clamp the pairs of table tops and legs to eachother. PVA glue will do the trick. You should clamp the leg frames on their tabs and about 10cm from the end of each leg. The table top needs clamping over the slotted holes.

STEP 3: Admire Your New Table

If you want to add additional rigidity the table top can be screwed through to the edge ply of the leg frames. Use the lotted holes as a guide for where the legs are beneath and drill a small diameter locating hole through from above before countersinking a posi-head woodscrew.

If you like this table you might like other things I do....

barnaby gunning architects

32 Comments

mbones 4 years ago

Thanks for sharing this fantastic project! I can't wait to try it out. Your links to the diagrams and schematic diagram aren't working. Would you please upload new links or send them to me?

Have a great day!

mizzdmartin 6 years ago

the links to the PDFs don't work anymore!!!!

Tomasricardo 8 years ago

What about dooing it with a Router, will one have to wor a lot changing messurements in the joinst?

Kuuran 8 years ago

Nice design. Just got to some thinking and, if using a 24mm board to build two tables, you may get symetrical legs just by changing the way they are curved. The two tables will look slightly different from one another, though.

richardsan 12 years ago

you could cut into the tabs with a very slender v and cut wedges to fit those slots, tap them in from the top. that will tighten up the leg support. and i think i'd dress up the 'toes' on the bottom of the legs, they will need protection. there's all the weight right down there on the floor plane. maybe soak in some epoxy or cap them.

Emiliano Valencia 12 years ago

it's cause you got ur units wrong, it's 8 ft. times 2 ft. equals 2 tables.

techfix1 13 years ago


This is one nice looking table and practical!

macrumpton 15 years ago

Great tables. The only thing I would change would be to instead of both leg sets having one leg tilting in and the other tilting out I would have both legs tilt in on one set and both tilting out one the other, and then I would swap one set of legs with the other table so one table has all the legs tilting in and the other table legs tilting out. Did that make sense?

GeeDeeKay 15 years ago

There is one more element that needs to be changed with this idea. Make sure that the opposing set of legs has the notch swapped where the pairs are joined in the center, so one set of matching legs has a notch on top and one has a notch on the bottom.

russ veinot 15 years ago

If you were to drill a hole down through the center of the cross over of the legs , add a bolt (1/4" ) and use a plastic knob you should increase rigidity to the legs when you tighten the knob. You could even drill all the way though the top (for the bolt) to add even more rigidity.

static 16 years ago

Nice instructable. Thanks for making the drawings available. Any chance you will be making the drawings available for the round table available or does the slight bend in the parts make it unfeasible for the home shop?

barnabygunning 16 years ago

I have yet to build a prototype of the round table but I will post it to instructables when I have. :-)

gosub 16 years ago

Not easy to cut by hand but excellent design for building a cheap table. The cuts needs to be painted or something.

static 16 years ago

Hand tools power or otherwise, or a combination there of, should be sufficient to build this project. IMO the contrast of the unfinished edges on the black table look great, but no so much on the white table. Anyway one can finish to their own taste, to state the obvious. :)

teaching with joy 16 years ago

I'm enamored with the design, but lack the skills, tools, work area, etc. to create them. :( Questions! I have questions! Could I find the specialized cutting tools you mention in Raleigh, NC? Is it expensive to hire someone cut these for you?

Gonazar 16 years ago

My bad, they only make things up to 31x15 inches

kosmicslop 16 years ago

I love these tables. However, before reading and just looking at the pictures, I thought they would be perfect for someone like myself who moves around a lot. It would be a lot easier to pack tables that could break down like that. Any suggested mods to make that a more real possibility?
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