From traditional to contemporary, end tables come in a variety of design styles. With this in mind, building an end table can be a creative woodworking project. It allows woodworkers to test their hand at various designs while still allowing for a personal touch. It also provides an opportunity to create a simple or intricate piece of furniture.
Getting Started
Before putting anything together, make a plan on exactly what you want your end table to look like. Decide on the height, the length and the type of wood you want to use. Also decide whether your table will be a simple stand or if it will have storage such as a bottom rack or a drawer. This will determine how much wood you need and how complicated the job will get.
Once you've decided on all of these factors, obtain the wood you need and begin the process of milling. Start with the top of the end table. Cut out a piece of wood that will function as your table top. The dimensions must be accurate. Make sure that the front and back, as well as the left and right side of the table top, are equal lengths.
Now you can begin milling your table legs, as well as the pieces for the drawer if you will add one.
Legs and Joints
The legs and the joints are going to be one of the most important parts of the project. Decide whether you want your legs to taper down, starting thicker at the top and getting thinner at the bottom. This will require careful milling and designing of the legs so that they all have equal lengths and dimensions.
Once you have decided how the legs will look, begin thinking about the joints. The joints are especially important if you are incorporating a drawer into the end table. If this is the case, your table will have three panels. Two wood panels will make up the left and right side of the end table, while one panel will be installed in the back. The front will be left open to slide in the drawer.
When you cut out the left and right wood panels of the end table, make sure that each end of the panel has two rectangular edges sticking out. These edges, called tenons, will slide into the joints on the front and back legs. They will be glued together creating a frame for the table. The back piece of the table also will be glued and nailed into place.
If you want a shelf added to the bottom of the end table, you will have to add joints to the bottom of the table legs. You will then cut out wood runners that will fit into each of these joints and a shelf that will be nailed into place on top of the four runners.
Drawer
To create the drawer you will need five wood planks. Four of the wood planks will be the sides of the drawer while the last plank will serve as the bottom of the drawer. Cut them to the length and dimensions necessary so that the finished drawer will slide into the table. Glue the drawer sides together and nail in place. Next, you will create two small runners that will be installed inside the drawer frame. These runners will be placed on each side of the drawer frame. Chisel out a long groove on the left and right panel of the drawer. These grooves should fit into the runners you installed. Once the drawer is in place, the grooves should slide right over the runner allowing the drawer to be pulled in and out with ease.
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