INTRODUCTION
These
pages give a step by step
explanation about how to make
a simple pine coffee table with strong corner joints without the need
to learn how to make mortise and
tenon joints which is the traditional way of jointing a coffee table.
The coffee table will be made from pine so that you will be able to buy the planed timber from a builders or timber merchant.
The size of the table for this project is approximately 36" x 21" x 16" but you can adjust any of those dimensions to suit your own coffee table. If you want a chunkier looking coffee table, buy 3"x 3" timber for the legs and adjust the other measurements accordingly.
If you want to keep it really simple, instead of buying the timber for the top in the materials list below, buy a laminated pine panel for the top from any large D.I.Y. chain. Don't buy the 3/4" panels, they are too flimsy, some stores stock panels that are 1" thick which is adequate. You can then ignore the sections on making and flattening the coffee table top apart from the section on cutting the top to size. You may also be able to complete the project without the need for sash cramps.
MATERIALS NEEDED
| Component | Nominal Size | No | Total |
| Top | 4-1/4"x 1-1/4"x 40" door lining | 5 | 17'-0" |
| Legs | 2"x 2"x 24" P.A.R. | 4 | 6'-0" |
| Side rails | 4-1/4"x 1-1/4"x 40" door lining | 2 | 7'-0" |
| End rails | 4-1/4"x 1-1/4"x 19" door lining | 2 | 4'-0" |
| Slotted brackets | 8 | ||
| Dowel | pref hardwood | ||
| 4" screws | fast thread, e.g. supascrews or twinquik. | 16 | |
| P.V.A. adhesive | |||
| Pan head screws 3/4" | 24 | ||
| Washers for above | 8 |
In the table
above where it says P.A.R. for
the legs, this stands for planed all round.
The nominal size refers to the size of the timber before it is planed.
Notice that the timber components in the table are a few inches longer than your finished sizes to give you a margin for error.
These are the type of slotted brackets that you need, they are available at most good ironmongers or hardware stores.
A free to use online information resource provided by The Coffee Table .co.uk
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