How to Make Your Own Wooden Table

A nice, functional wooden end table can be put together by just about anyone if they have the right tools. The wood used is a single board in the species of your choice such as oak, walnut or pine. It is a project that can be done over a weekend and can be a wonderful addition to your home. Only fundamental woodworking skills are needed, along with a few basic tools. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure and cut two 18-inch lengths from the board. Measure and cut two 16-inch lengths. Measure and cut one 11-inch section from the remaining board.

2

Measure in from one end of each 16-inch length 3 inches and mark a line with the pencil. Repeat on the other end of each board. Center the dowel jig over each line and drill a 1/2-inch-deep hole. Dip a 1-inch dowel in wood glue. Use the rubber mallet and a scrap piece of wood to pound a dowel halfway into each hole on one of the 16-inch boards. Spread wood glue on the edge of the drilled second board. Lay the two boards together and pound the exposed dowels into the holes on the second board until the two boards are flush together. This is the tabletop.

3

Measure up 6 inches from one end of both of the two 18-inch boards. Use a pencil to make a straight horizontal line across the boards. Measure in 3 inches from each side and make a vertical line across the horizontal line. Center the drill bit where the two lines intersect and drill a 1/2-inch hole.

4

Measure in 3 inches from both ends on the top edge of the 18-inch boards. Use the dowel jig to drill 1/2-inch holes.

5

Measure in 3 inches from each end of the 11-inch board. Mark the measurement with your pencil Use the dowel jig to center and drill a 1/2-inch hole at these marks. Dip two dowels in wood glue and pound them into the holes on the 18-inch boards. Lay a bead of glue on each end of the 11-inch board. Quickly pound one end of the 11-inch board onto the dowel pins on each side. This creates the table legs and shelf.

6

Lay the tabletop upside down on a flat surface. Take the lower table assembly and center it over the underside of the tabletop. Mark on the underside of the tabletop where the assembly fits. Drill dowel holes 1/2 inch deep into the tabletop in the appropriate position.

7

Dip dowels into wood glue and pound them into the table leg assembly. Position the tabletop over the dowels and pound the tabletop into place.