Coffee Table Made Form a Single 2x4

To get an overview please watch the video.

First, sorry for my English!

This coffee table was made by a 2"x4" (5cm x 10cm) and 8 feet (240cm) long.

I know it is a wrong 2x4 because it is 2"x 4" and a real 2x4 is not 2"x 4"

The wood I used was Swiss pine, in German "Zirbe". It smells pretty good, so I decided not to use any wood finish.

Step 1: Plan and Tools

All measures on this plan are in cm!

Tools, I used:

• table saw
• router
• band sander
• drill press
• clamps
• chisel

wood glue

4 screws

Step 2: Cut the 2x4 in Pieces

I have only a small table saw, but with a clamp and a supporting table, it was no problem.

Step 3: Cut the Pieces in Width

Swiss pine is very soft. So it was not a problem to cut it with a fine saw blade.

Step 4: Milling

I cut a 4mm slot in the long table frame piece

all the small boards of the table top got a shoulder, so the fit in this slot

every foot got two slots

Step 5: Cut Tenons

the pieces of the frame got tenons

Step 6: Sanding

a lot of sanding!

Step 7: Assembling the Table Top

I glued every tenon in the slot of the frame with a small separator made out of 6 mm MdF

Then I glued the second board on the tenons and clamped all together.

After the glue was dry, I cut the boards in length and sand the table top.

Step 8: Preparing the Table Stand

the table top was screwed on the stand

I drilled holes with a big drill bit half into the frame boards

and with a small drill bit all the way through

Step 9: Assembling the Table Stand 1

First, I glued the two small pieces on the feet

Step 10: Assembling the Table Stand 2

then I glued the long parts on.

Because my clamps are not big enough, I made this little jig.

Step 11: Assembling

Just screw the table stand on the table top.

If you have any questions, please write them in the comments.

If you like this, please vote for it in the table contest.

Comments

[stanwitham]

Looks like it isn't very hard to do. Thanks for sharing!!

[milindnirgun]

Your work and your equipment/workshop is awesome and I am jealous. I don't think I can get to the point where I can build this project but I got a few good ideas from your video that can be applied to other projects. So thank you.

[AdamT96]

don't limit yourself! We do these things to fuel a creativity inside of us. Here is a site with a ton of jigs to make that allow you to do almost all of this with just a circular saw.

http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/03/14-circular-s...

The rest can be completed with a chisel and a hammer... same tools that the cavemen used lol.

[attawudh]

nice mood when used.

[KikiS9]

This is really great - thank you:) It makes me want to build it now! For the tools you use - mainly a table saw and router, and clamps? Anything else? I first need to come up with building a router table or stand, as I just have the router unmounted right now... guess that should be my next project.

[WackyPup]

You can build a nice router table, there's probably an instructable for it! Or check yard sales, that's where i got mine.

[bigpig]

I could do this but I'd need a 2x4 that is 187 feet long!

[Cayotica]

absolutely loved your use of the wedge claims that is a technique we don't see very often these days. BTW here in America an unfinished 2 x 4 is really 2 x 4.

[F. BrianH]

Not sure where you are finding a 2x4 that is 2"x4" unless you are getting one from a local mill. Most finished or unfinished 'dimensional lumber' labeled as a 2x4 is actually closer to 1 1⁄2 by 3 1⁄2 inches (38 mm × 89 mm) here in the USA.

[Cayotica]

Unfinished/rough sawed lumber is easy to find if you don't mind it being scrapped. Single use pallets, shippers even internal frame work of quality furniture and the mill, my brother the surgeon (tree that is) rough saws his own lumber but it's too green for me to use, l like kiln dried myself.

[jiajunwang]

Properly done!

[Cayotica]

don't need all that fancy stuff l made the table with only my 10" contractor table saw an a 1/2" chisel.....oh and twine lots of twine.

[UbyS]

Will be good for the ones that doesn't have the tools to have the measures of the cut pieces used in this project. We can have the pieces cut by the measures and do the assembling process.

[fluffy52601]

I voted! Very cool

[karnowskij]

I see a lot of people saying they couldn't do this because they don't have the same tools. Using standard dimension lumber, bought at a big box store, change the dimensions, and with a few simple hand tools you should be able to build this. It may not be as finely put together, but with a hand-held drill, hand-held circular saw, back saw and some proper planning (use clamps and a straight edge to cut the slots) you should be able to do most of the jointery.

A nice clean design! Well done!

[RobertC443]

I'd like to add some additional thoughts to my input below....1. If you don't have the tools Stephan has...this would be a great opportunity to meet/work with a neighbor who does. 2. If you decide to use the Pocket hole technique I mentioned..... you can substitute 1X2's and 2X2's and avoid the rip cutting which Stephan does. This way everything can be bought at the store and all you need is a handheld electric drill to assemble.

[RobertC443]

Hi...very nice job and great photo's and explanation. I would like to comment on MadMax input below. While yes a big box store will make the cuts for you, the joint design will have to be modified. StephanP1 designed the table with mortise and tenon joints. An alternate would be to use Pocket Hole screw (such as the Kreg system). If you do, then all dimensions should be shortened the length of the tenons. Good luck to all...

[headache]

Beautiful table. I love the, for lack of a batter phrase, slatted look. It looks like it could have come from Ikea. Thanks for sharing.

[salomatik]

This is very nice explain. I like this table.

[MadMex2k]

All you folks without those tools(including me!) can take the measurements to a big box hardware store(Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) and get the wood cut to do the build. All you would have to do to finish is sand the pieces and assemble.