Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

See Cutting List & Diagram for lumber
#8 x 1-1/2-in wood screws
#8 x 2-in wood screws
#8 finish washers
8 - 1/2-in x 3/8-in x 1-in steel spacers
Waxman 4-pack rubber non-swivel glides
Primer
Paint (Pictured: Valspar Signature paint, Aqua Ocean)
Paint (Pictured: Valspar Signature paint, Du Jour)

Note

Items may be Special Order in some stores. Product costs, availability, and item numbers may vary online or by market. Paint colors may vary slightly from those shown. Availability varies by market for lumber species and sizes.

Instructions

To make assembly of the Coffee Table a breeze, we’ve provided two animations that will help you visualize the steps. Watch the videos for some easy to follow assembly instructions.

Shop Accent & Coffee Tables Shop Paint Shop Saws

Assemble the Lower Unit

Cut the medium-density fiberboard (MDF) down to manageable pieces. Ask a Lowe's associate to make the lengthwise cuts, and then have the resulting pieces crosscut to break down the sheet (Project Diagram & Cutting List) before you take it home. These smaller pieces are easier to handle on your table saw -- with a helper -- or on sawhorses with a circular saw and a straightedge. Cut the smaller pieces down to the finished sizes (Project Diagram, Cutting List). Sand each panel with 150-grit sandpaper, and then mark the part letter on each piece with a pencil.

From a 3/4-in x 3-1/2-in poplar board, cut the stretcher (C) and braces (E) to length. Sand the pieces with 180-grit sandpaper; be sure to soften the sharp edges of the parts with sandpaper as well. Glue and clamp the stretcher to the divider (B), centered and with the top edges flush. Drill countersunk pilot holes for the screws and secure the parts.

Good to Know

To make screws "disappear" on a painted project, make room for some wood filler over the screw heads. Drill the countersinks deep enough so the screws rest 1/16-in below the surface of the material.

Make the Sliding Table

Add the Floating Top

From a 1/4-in-thick acrylic sheet, cut the floating top (G) to size and mark the location of the mounting holes using a fine-tip marker (Project Diagram, Cutting List and Drawing 2).

Good to Know

When working with acrylic and polycarbonate panels, leave the protective cover sheets in place to prevent scratching. For the best cuts, use a sharp, fine-tooth, carbide-tipped blade. To remove the blade marks from the edges, use a firm sanding block and 100-grit sandpaper. Then sand with 150-, 220-, and 320-grit sandpaper. Ease the edges with your sanding block and 220-grit sandpaper.

Prep, Paint, and Assemble

Remove the floating top and fill all the screw countersinks with wood filler. When the filler dries, sand it flush with the surrounding surfaces.

Good to Know

Wood filler and the cut edges of the MDF absorb more finish than the faces. Before priming, seal all of the exposed MDF edges and filled screw holes by brushing on glue sizing with a foam brush. Sizing is a mixture of equal parts wood glue and water. When dry -- in about 20 minutes -- sand the sizing smooth. Now when you apply primer and paint, all the surfaces will absorb the paint at the same rate.

How to Build a Coffee Table and End Table

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Instructions

Assemble the Lower Unit

Make the Sliding Table

Add the Floating Top

Prep, Paint, and Assemble

Make the End Table

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