How To Build an End Table for Under $20
with
Debbie Anderson
One of the easiest ways to save on furniture is to make it yourself! Find out how to build a simple but good-looking end table that will cost you just under 20 bucks.
Transcript: How To Build an End Table for Under $20
Hi! I'm Debbie Anderson for About.com. Purchasing a new end table just to have a place to set your morning cup of coffee isn't always a practical expenditure, especially in this economy, so today I’m going to show you how to build your very own end table for under $20.DIY End Table Supplies
For this project you will need a few tools from around the house, such as:- a power drill
- a 1/16 wood drill bit
- a Philips head screwdriver drill bit
- a combination square
- a number two pencil
- a hammer
- 4 small C-clamp
- an old work rag
End Table Items to Purchase
As well as a few supplies from your local hardware store, such as:- a tack cloth ($1.09)
- fine grit sandpaper ($.59)
- wood glue ($1.49)
- a small finishing nail ($.05)
- 4 #6 2 1/2-inch wood screws ($.40)
- 8 #6 1 1/2-inch wood screws ($.64)
- a 1-inch foam brush ($.49)
- a small can of wood stain that compliments your living room décor ($4.49)
- a pair of vinyl gloves ($.49)
- 6 3/4-inch round wood dowels measuring 9-inches in length ($.33 each, $1.98 for 6)
- 2 3/4-inch pine wood boards measuring 11 3/4-inches by 9-inches ($2.21 each, $4.42 for 2 boards)
- 4 1 1/2-inch by 3/4- inch boards measuring 24-inches in length ($.74 each, $2.96 for all 4 boards)
Prepare the Dowels
Using a hammer and a finishing nail, create small starter holes for the screws at the end of each wood dowel by lightly tapping the nail into the end of the dowel and then once the nail is hammered in, just about halfway into the wood, pull the nail right back. Repeat this process for all six wood dowels.Measure the Table Boards
Next, create screw-hole marks on the surface area for each of the 24-inch boards using the ruler on your combination square and a # 2 pencil. Measure and mark the boards at 1 and 2/16 inches from one edge of the boards, and again at approximately 3 inches in from the opposite end of the board.To make sure your mark is in the center of the board, measuring 3/4 of an inch in from the side edge of the board and create a cross mark with your pencil for each of the screw hole marks on all four boards.
On the 3/4-inch edge surface of each board, make a third screw-hole mark with your pencil at 12-inches in from the end of the board, then create a second mark at exactly 3/8 of an inch in from the side edge, so center the screw-hole mark. Complete this mark on all four boards.
Drill the Table's Holes
Using your power drill and a 1/16-inch drill bit, drill a clean hole straight through each of the boards at the screw-hole marks.Sand the Table
Next, use fine grit sandpaper to sand all of the rough edges, corners, and surfaces on each of the wood pieces until each piece of wood is smooth to the touch.Wipe away any residual sawdust with an old work rag and then use a clean tack clothe to wipe off any remaining fragments of sawdust on the wood pieces.
Build the Table
Use a power drill with the Phillips head screwdriver bit attached to screw in all eight of the 1 1/2-inch wood screws on the wide flat surface side of the boards. Screw in each screw just until the tip of the screw pokes through the other side of the board.Lay the boards out in pairs so that the screw holes line up with the board next to it.
Align the starter holes at the ends of each wood dowel with the screw tips poking through the boards and slowly tighten the screws until each of the boards are connected by the wooden dowels.
Repeat this process so that each set of boards now has one dowel connecting them at the top of the boards and one dowel connecting them at the bottom portion of the two boards to create two separate sets of table legs.
Screw in a 2½-inch wood screw on each leg at the screw-holes located 12 inches down the board on the edge of each board. Align the starter holes for the remaining two wood dowels with the screw tips poking through each of the table legs, and tighten the screws to secure the wood dowels to the two sets of table legs.
Apply small beads of wood glue to the top of the wooden dowels located at the upper and lower levels of the table frame.
Carefully place one 9 by 11 and 3/4-inch wood board over the gluey side of the wooden dowels at the upper and lower sections of the end table and use a c-clamp to press the boards to the wooden dowels. Allow the glue to dry for 24-hours. Once the glue has dried, remove the C-Clamps.
Stain the Table
Use a foam brush and a small can of wood stain to create the desired finish for your new end table. Allow the wood stain to dry for at least 24-hours.And there you have it! Finally a place to set my morning coffee, and all for less than $20! Thank you for watching. To learn more, please visit us on the Web at homegarden.about.com.