Coffee/Living Room/General Use Table for Under $50

I needed a new table for my living room and decided that the best way was to make one myself.  Trying to keep it simple I drew up and made this table in a few hours.

Step 1: Drawing the "blueprints" and Getting Supplies

I had a piece of graph paper and remembered that wood at the lumber yard was available in pre-cut pieces in 24" x24" and 24"x48" by 3/4" thickness.  It was a birch laminate with one finished side.  I was also looking to get a little support under the table so I picked up a couple of 1x4x6 pieces of pine board.  All 5 boards plus a pint of cherry Minwax stain cost me $49.99 (your results may vary).

Step 2: Prepping and Drilling the Holes for the Pocket Screws

I picked up the KREG pocket screw kit over a year ago and it has paid for itself many times over.  The jig in the center has an offset metal collar to drill a hole at an angle and correct depth.  On the two 2'x2' boards, I determined the best side and on the opposite drilled four pocket holes at the top edge.  On the rails, I drilled two holes at each end and a few along the top edge.

Step 3: Gluing and Screwing

I glued and screwed together the two ends to the table, putting them flush with the edge of the tabletop.  I then screwed the two rails in between the ends, giving support to the legs.  I set the rails back about an inch (using a scrap piece of board) to be all "artsy".

Step 4: Complete Table - Ready for Stain

The finished table - 24" high by 24" deep and 48" wide

Step 5: Staining and Sealing

I stained the table with a small can of cherry Minwax stain and waited for it to dry.  In the warm weather, it didn't take long.  I then applied two coats of polyurethane sealer with sanding in between.

Table built and finished in an afternoon.