Making Wooden Tables

Wood is such a versatile building component that a wooden table can mean everything from an enormous dining or meeting table to a tiny bedside table. Wood is often chosen to make tables because it is easy to work with and looks attractive when it is finished. Making even the easiest of wood tables might be a little difficult if you haven't worked with wood before, but with a little practice and patience you can have that table standing in no time.

Instructions

1

Place the table top upside down on the ground or floor. Most generic tables are 2-foot by 4-foot, but you can use whatever size you desire. If you go larger than 2-by-4 feet, you may want to use 4-by-4s instead of 3-by-3s for the legs. Likewise, if you are making a smaller table you can use 2-by-2s for the legs.

2

Cut two 1x4s equal to the length of the table top minus 3 inches. Then cut two 1x4s to the length of the width of the table minus 4 1/2-inches. Cut the 3x3 equal to the height that you want the table to be. Remember that the table will be a little taller than the length of these legs, depending on how thick your table top is.

3

Measure 2 1/4-inches in from one of the edges of the table top. Draw a line parallel to that edge of the table along it's entire length. Do this for the other three edges, leaving you with four lines making four intersections on your board.

4

Place carpenter's glue on the end of one of the legs. Place the leg on the table to that the outside corner is placed directly on the intersection of two of the lines. Use the lines to ensure that the leg is on straight. Repeat this process for every corner of the table.

5

Put an angle bracket against the table top and one of the two inside sides of a leg. The two inside sides are the ones that are facing away form the nearest edge. Drill the 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the angle bracket into the leg and the table top. If your table top is less than 1 1/2-thick, you should use 1-inch wood screws. Repeat this process for the other inside side of the same leg, then attach two brackets to the remaining three legs.

6

Place carpenter's glue on the edge of one of the longer 1x4s and place it on the table top. Arrange the board against two of the legs, so that both edges of the board stick out 3/4-inch beyond the legs. Place the other long 1x4 in place on the opposite side of the table. Place the shorter 1x4s inside the edges of the longer 1x4s, creating a rectangle around the table's legs.

7

Attach the rectangle boards to the table top using angle brackets and the 1/2-inch wood screws. Use at least two angle brackets for every side of the rectangle.

8

Turn the table over and you're ready to use it. You can sand, prime and finish it of you desire, but that is completely optional.