How difficult to build this coffee table?
 

Hey guys. I'm new to this forum. Created an account specifically to ask this question:

Is it feasible/realistic to build the coffee table at home with minimal woodworking experience?


I know that furniture making is an art and one that takes years to perfect. I was hoping that the simplicity of the coffee table in question (its basically just a box) might allow me to have a chance at making it. Is this something I could achieve or is it just a pipe dream?

It could be built with any number of materials easily, yes.

DM

Thank you for the response. My father seems to believe that it would be impossible for someone who does not make furniture as a trade to make even something simple due to tight tolerances, finish quality, etc. Can I just cut some wood, sand, attach, stain? Any advice on how to proceed?

what tools do you have?

I have none myself, but my father has a miter saw, a sander, and as much handyman equipment as the average DIY'er can fill a garage with.

This would probably be easiest with mdf and some sort of filler material.

As simple as some 2x2s, plywood, screws and brush-on truck bed liner would do it.

DM

Truck bed liner? That would be pretty textured, while the photo shows a smooth finish.

The finish on that piece would be best duplicated by using MDF. The one in the picture is probably MDF.

Not hard to work with. Build an internal frame out of 2x6's for depth and skin it with MDF.

Here ya go;

scope of project;
1.build coffee table
tools; table saw(4x8 extension work table)screw gun,glue,router,trim bit,contact cement,file,chop saw,air compressor,nail gun,iron,laquer thinner.
material;2 sheets mdf 3/4",2 sheets formica.
refer full of cold beer & music system

Ammi, don't let some folks here pull your leg. It's hard to tell from the picture if I am seeing shadows or if the base is closed. It is basically a big box. Yes, some MDF or Plywood with some 2x4 or 2x2" support pieces inside should do. This would be a great project for you to practice basic woodworking skills. The details are in the finish - sand, sand, sand, then stain, sand, topcoat, sand, topcoat again, repeat, etc. Don't get discouraged if yours doesn't turn out just like the picture. It takes practice. Good luck and welcome to woodworking!

p.s. - yeah, DangerMouse, what's up with the bedliner? Oh, now I get it :laughing:

I was going for the whole "quick and easy, but strong with a good wear surface" aspect.
Paint could be used, of course, as well as any number of other coverings from cork to plastic to leather to fabric, etc.! It's just a cube, after all.... :laughing:

DM

If the cutting presents any problems, figure out the size of the pieces that you want, keeping in mind that the MDF typically is sold in 4' by 8' sheets, which looks like it may be about right for that table, go to your local lumber yard, and they will probably cut it for you. The only other figuring that you will have to do in laying it out is allowing for the saw kerfs, which will be about 1/8". After that, you're pretty much down to a sander and screw gun. I would also include some 3/4 by 3/4 pine for the inside corners.

then you should have no problem making the table.