Introduction: Simple Side Table
Hi All,
I needed a side table for my living room, and wanted to make one but limited tools... In this instructable I will share how I made one without using expensive tools. As simple design that even beginners can use.
Step 1: What Do We Need ?
Material
- 3/4" MDF or Plywood
- L - Bracket (12)
- 3/4" screws (80)
- Wood Primer
- Brown Oil Paint
- Sand paper (80 , 180, 220 Grit)
- Paint Brush 2"
- Paint thinner
Tools
- Jigsaw
- Plane tool
- Drill ( 2mm wood bit)
- Screwdriver
Step 2: Design
My neighbor got custom furniture at their house and these planks were left over. Some of them were 3/4" and few 1/8". And you will notice that the table top is 24.5" x 20.5", which is non standard or not an integer. The idea is to work with what you have and reuse them as much as I could..
- I had to design a table that would utilize these varied sizes and thickness.
- I am using 3/4" thickness as table top and legs.
- While using 1/8" as connecting or supporting bars
Please refer to the image for dimensions.
Step 3: Legs - Cutting
Legs
- Legs are of 3" X 18"
- Draw the legs on the plank ( 3/4" thickness )
- We need 8 of these and may have to use multiple planks to get the required quantity
Support Bars
- We need 4 support bars of 2" x 14.75" ( 1/8" thickness)
- And 4 support bars of 2" x 18.75" ( 1/8" thickness
I use Jigsaw to cut these, perform sawing with eye/ears/nose protections. As aware jigsaw cuts are not straight, use "plane tool" us get better edge. POst that sand it using 80 grit sandpaper
Step 4: Legs - Frame
- We need to make rectangular frames for each side
- 2 of these sides are smaller and 2 are larger
- The supporting bars on smaller sides are offset by 1/8" on both sides, this is to make sure to joint can overlap inside
- Using L brackets joint adjacent frames, using numbers to remember that which piece goes together
- I have used 2mm drill bit to pre drill all holes, this helps when fixing a screw for the brackets or joins
- My planks had laminates on both sides, so cannot use wood glue
- And hence I have added L brackets and supporting bars for strength and stability
Step 5: Table Top
As mentioned, I am utilizing the left over planks, I had 24.5" x 20.5" plank which I used for the table top.
- Round of the corners using jigsaw ( 1" radius)
- Mix wood glue and sawdust and fill holes/ cuts or any imperfectness on the wood, let it to dry for 3 hrs
- Do not fix the table top, we want to do painting first and it is easier this way
Step 6: Paint Job
In my living room all the other furniture is shades on brown and hence decided to paint this brown
- We need to sand the laminate with 80 grit and then with 180 sandpaper to create a rough surface that will bind with primer
- Sides that are not laminated needs to sanded upto 220 grit
- Wipe everything using a damp cloth ( lint free cloth )
- Using wood primer, cover all surfaces ( add thinner as manufacturer's recommendation)
- Let it dary for 3 to 4 hrs, after which sand all surface using 220 grit
- Wipe using damp cloth
- Paint using brown oil paint ( add thinner, but not too much)
- One coat on Table top and 2 coats on the legs
- Wait 24 hrs for the paint to dry. Place the table in a ventilated area, as oil paint needs oxidize to dry
- Invert the legs to paint the missed areas
Step 7: Fix Table Top
- Using L brackets fix the table top as shown,
- Use number to remember which bracket goes where and in what sequence
- We did just one coat of paint on the table top, because, while fixing we would have scratched something
- Do the second coat of the paint after the top is fixed to the legs
- Remember to paint from under side too
Final table is ready !!!!!
Please share your comments and tips