There are many different
coffee table designs. In this video, we'll be showing you how
to construct a fairly simple DIY coffee table with upper and lower shelves,
plus an optional remote shelf. Start by pre-cutting all the
lumber needed for the project. We'll provide a cut list with the
exact dimensions, as well as a tools and materials list, at
the end of the video. Begin by placing two of the legs
side by side with the bottoms flush. Measure up 2 and 1/4 inches, and
mark guidelines across the broad faces on each leg. Next, create pocket
holes along the top edge on both ends of the two front trim
pieces, using a pocket hole jig. The jig, when clamped into place,
serves as a guide for drilling holes at a precise angle.
When drilling pocket holes, set
the pocket hole depth on the jig to match the thickness
of the material you will be drilling through, in
this case 1 and 1/2 inches. Then, also adjust the depth collar
on the bit to 1 and 1/2 inches. Use an Allen wrench to loosen
and tighten the collar as needed. The setting should be measured from the
shoulder of the drill bit, not the tip. The shoulder is where the wider
cutting edge of the drill bit begins. With the pocket holes drilled,
apply glue to each end of the top 2 by 2 trim pieces. Position the upper trim
piece with the pockets facing what will be the interior of the table. Adjust the trim piece until it is flush
with the top and sides of the legs, and clamp it in place. Attach to each leg, using 2
and 1/2 inch pocket screws. Line the lower side trim
up with the guideline. Clamp it in place, and use
pocket screws to attach it.
Repeat the process for building
the back trim assembly. These front and back
trim assemblies will be connected using the shorter
2 by 4 end trim pieces. Again, drill two 1 and
1/2 inch pocket holes into each end of the upper
and lower trim pieces. Apply glue and secure them to the legs
using 2 and 1/2 inch pocket screws. The upper piece should be
flush with the top of the legs. And use the guidelines to
position the lower piece. The pockets should be facing
the bottom of the table. Repeat on the other side. With the basic frame of the table
complete, it's time to add the shelves. The three boards that will
make up the bottom shelf need to be attached to each other side
by side, using glue and 1 and 1/4 inch pocket screws.
Measure and mark the center of the edge. Then mark 4 inches in from each end,
and again at 12 inches in from each end. Drill five 3/4 inch pocket
holes into each board. The center board of the
shelf will have pockets drilled on both edges of the board. The outer two boards will have
pockets created on only one edge. Each board will also have pocket
holes centered on both ends. Run a bead of glue
along the joining edge. Make sure all edges of the
first two boards are flush, and drive in the pocket screws. The five pocket holes along the
edge, and the three on the ends will be used to attach the shelf
to the front, back, and end rails.
With the pocket holes facing
down, position the bottom shelf of the coffee table along
the lower end and side trims. Clamp it, and secure the shelf with
more 1 and 1/4 inch pocket screws. Mark the upper and lower end rails
for positioning the side braces. These braces are decorative
only, so these measurements can be adjusted as you like. Drill 1 and 1/2 inch pocket
holes at each end of the braces. Position them with the pocket holes
facing the outside of the table, and attach the braces using
2 and 1/2 inch screws. This will allow you to easily access
the pocket screws with the drill when attaching the top shelf. Since these screws will be visible, it's
best to conceal them with pocket plugs. Apply glue and insert the
plugs into the pocket holes. Any excess can be removed at the
end of the project when you sand. The table's top will be constructed
using seven 2 by 6 boards. The three 41 inch boards should
be lined up next to each other, to form the center of the tabletop.
Line up the two shorter boards
at each end of the center boards, and place the two longest
boards on either side. This will be the tabletop assembly. Drill five 1 and 1/2 inch pocket holes
into the edges of the three center boards. Another five into the
two outer long boards, and two into each edge of the
two shorter, outer boards. Apply glue to the joining
edge on each board, and attach all the boards using 2 and
1/2 inch pocket screws. In this video, we're
going to show you how to add a remote shelf on the
underside of the tabletop. This will help make your coffee table
unique and provide additional storage. If you prefer to skip this step
and attach the tabletop as is, position the frame on
the table top assembly. The top should overhang the frame by
1 and 3/8 on the front and back trims, and 2 inches over the end trims. Attach the tabletop using
2 and 1/2 inch screws. Using 3/4 inch sanded plywood,
began assembling the remote shelf. The three 4 and 1/4
inch pieces will serve as the back and sides of the shelf. Each side panel will require
three pocket holes along one edge.
The back panel won't
require pocket holes. The bottom of the shelf will
be 22 and 1/2 inches by 2 feet. Drill three 3/4 inch pocket holes
into three of the edges of the shelf, leaving one of the longer
edges with no holes. Position this bottom
shelf between the sides and back, and attach using 1
and 1/4 inch pocket screws. To create room for the remote
shelf, use a circular saw to cut the front trim piece. It should be cut to a distance
of 7 and 3/4 from each leg.
Place the shelf in the resulting
gap with the back of the shelf against the opposite side trim. Use the 1 and 1/4 inch pocket
screws to attach the shelf to the back trim and the
shortened front trim pieces. Then position the table
frame on the tabletop. Check for the proper overhang, and
attach with 2 and 1/2 inch screws. Drive 1 and 1/2 inch pocket screws
into the pockets along the top edges of the remote shelf. Sand the entire piece
with 220 grit sandpaper. Remove the dust with a tack cloth,
and paint or stain as desired. With or without the remote
shelf, this rustic coffee table will be a long lasting and
sturdy addition to your home. Here are all the materials you'll
need to build your DIY coffee table. [MUSIC PLAYING] Here is a cut list for the lumber
needed to complete this project.
[MUSIC PLAYING] And lastly, you'll need the
following tools for the job. [MUSIC PLAYING] For more detailed information
about this and many other projects, check out the DIY Projects and
Ideas section of Homedepot.com, or talk to one of our store associates. Good luck, and thanks for
shopping at The Home Depot. [MUSIC PLAYING] .
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