Simple
coffee table
There are no difficult
joints in this project
very lounge room needs a coffee table, and a sturdy
Eone at that. This project is easy to make because it
has a simple design and all the parts are the same size
so you ll only need basic tools. Martin Lynes, who plays
Dr Luciano (Luke) Forlano, the surgical registrar from All
Saints, helped us make it. By Dieter Mylius
Here s how each end of the rails with the
We started with 50 x 50mm end holes (B) and find the
oregon and planed the centre of timber. Drill through
thickness to suit. You can also the pieces at this point with
buy ready dressed timber at a 10 or 12mm bit for the
42mm square or use recycled bolt holes. To help avoid
timbers. As the cutting is splintering, drill the holes with
simple, your timber supplier the rail over a scrap of timber.
may be happy to cut all the 4 Measure 150mm in from
lengths for you. each end on remaining rails
1 Cut all the slats and rails (C) and find and mark centres
to a length of 800mm if not of timber. On two rails use a
already cut by your supplier. 25mm spade bit or Speedbor
You will need 31 pieces. to drill a 5mm deep hole at this the pieces on a flat benchtop,
Select the 19 best pieces to point in the underside of the good side face down with a
use as the table top slats (A) pieces. Then drill through with drilled slat at each edge. Align
and on each of these use a a 10 or 12mm bit for the both ends of all the pieces
pencil to mark the best face bolt holes in these and all with a straight length of timber.
with the best edges. Set aside. remaining pieces. Use pipe or sash cramps to
2 On the remaining rails 5 Of the 19 tabletop slats hold together. Place two of
sand a small bevel on each select two end slats with a the end drilled pieces (B) in
end edge and lightly sand good edge as well as top face position and insert bolts to
edges to remove splinters. and mark and drill 10 or 12mm make sure they are correctly
3 Measure 21mm in from holes at the 150mm mark as located. Drill through top rails
in the previous step. Set out all with a 4mm bit where they
cross each slat and screw the
rails to slats. Remove clamps
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
and check the top is square.
If not, adjust by tapping with
Apart from common hand tools, it will help if you have a sander and a hammer using a softwood
cordless screwdriver. A drill with 4mm and 10 or 12mm twist bits and 25mm block.
spade bit is essential. 6 Turn over top and sand the dome nut (F) at each corner.
surface smooth. Sand a small Check that ends of table
Item Part Size Material bevel around the tabletop are properly aligned with a
A Top slats (19) 42 x 42 x 800mm Oregon and at each corner. square, then tighten nuts
B End hole rails (6) 42 x 42 x 800mm Oregon 7 Insert bolts (D) into the firmly with spanner  but do
C 150mm hole rails (6) 42 x 42 x 800mm Oregon bottom-most rails (with the not over tighten.
D Cup bolts (4) 10mm dia x 300mm Bright zinc coated steel counterbored hole) and stand 8 Finish the table with a clear
E Washers (4) Bright zinc coated steel so bolts are vertical. finish of your choice. We used
F Dome nuts (4) Chrome steel Successively add the other three coats of tung oil for
pieces finally adding the a low sheen finish. You can
All parts are prefabricated. All the necessary timber can be cut from 11 lengths tabletop assembly. Fit a oil pieces before assembly to
of 2.4m 50 x 50mm oregon (leaving two pieces spare) dressed down to a washer (E) and screw on a make this task easier.
standard 42mm square. The cost of materials should be less than $150.
http://www.bhg.com.au
Photography Peter Scott, John Halfhide; styling Vicki Liley; diagrams Tech View Studio