Introduction: The Treadplate Coffee Table

If you'd like to replace your old, ugly, 70's coffee table with something a bit more interesting, you might wanna try just making a new top for it. 

Shopping List:
Sheet of Treadplate (cut to size when purchased)
4 lengths of aluminium extrusion
4 flightcase corners

Other stuff you'll need:
A saw to cut the aluminium extrusion
A metal file
Super glue (cyanoacrylate)
Gaffa tape

Step 1: Measure Up

Measure your coffee table so you know how big your treadplate sheet has to be and how long your aluminium sides have to be. Most places that sell treadplate sheeting will have the ability to cut it for you and I'd definitely recommend this as it will save you a lot of time and effort and probably give a nicer more uniform finish to your table top.

Do remember when measuring your extrusion that the size of the table will be the inside length of the extrusion, so allow for the additional thickness of the extrusion in your measurements to ensure a snug fit.

Step 2: Assemble!

Cut your extrusion with 45 degree angles so that they fit together to make a frame (this isnt strictly needed and you could of course simply have butt joints as the joins won't be visible) As the extrusion is L-shaped in cross section, it will provide an edge to the table and well as the mounting surface for the treadplate sheet..

To fix it all together, I'd simply recommend holding everything in place with gaffa tape on one side of the joint whilst you glue the other.

Then wait...

then wait a bit more...

Once the glue is dry, remove the gaffa tape and put the frame on the table.

Step 3:

Although the frame should now be sat snugly on the table, I'd still recommend that you hold it in place with a few strips of gaffa whilst you shape the outside edge of the corner joints. Now set to the corners of your frame with the metal file until the flight case corner pieces fit snug against both sides and the top. This may or may not be needed depending on the corners you use. I wanted to use flight case corners to complete the look and choose ones that didn't have pointed edges considering they would be made of metal.

Once you have angled off all the corner joints with your file and got the corners fitting snugly, once again get your glue out and glue them in place.

Then wait again....

Step 4: Finish!

And voila - your treadplate table top is finished!