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| Masterwood Coffee Table |
| Make this inexpensive coffee table for the living room. |
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1
Cut all the pieces to size (see materials below) making sure the edges and ends are square. (Note: you can purchase a 5.4-metre length of 92mm wide MDF that will save you a considerable amount of cutting. Have the length cut into three pieces 1800mm long, so that it will fit into your car.)
2
Cut the tapered legs. Each leg is constructed from a 92mm and a 74mm-wide piece fitted together at right angles. Glue and nail them together, making sure you have a neat join. Using fine 40mm x 1.6mm nails and keeping away from the ends, nail together at an angle to give a better hold while the glue sets. Pre-drilling with a fine drill will make it easier. Make two legs with the wide 92mm one way and the other two legs opposite. This will enable you to have the legs with the edge showing positioned at the ends of the table. (Diagrams 1 and 2)
3
Assemble the top rail frame. Glue and screw through the long side rails into each end rail. Pre-drill and countersink the holes 9mm in from the ends (screws 40mm x 6g). These screws will be covered by the legs. Drill pilot holes into the ends before fixing. The centre rail is fixed 18mm off centre to allow a vertical shelf support to be located in the centre of the table. Glue and nail. (Diagram 3)
4
Glue and nail the rail support pieces at each corner, and one on the alternate sides of the centre rail. These small triangular pieces can be cut from scrap 18mm MDF, or you can use thicker woods such as pine, meranti or other dressed softwood. Their main purpose is to enable firm screw fixing into the top. Either 70 or 90mm wide material would be suitable. (Diagram 4)
5
Place the table top upside down on the bench. Position the rail frame on top approximately 38mm from all edges. Pre-drill and countersink one hole in each of the triangular support pieces. Lift off the rail frame and apply glue on all the edges and triangles. Replace in position, drill a pilot hole into the top, taking care not to drill right through the top, and screw into position (use 30mm x 8g screws).
6
Fasten the legs in position by screwing from the inside of the rail. Pre-drill and countersink two holes in each side of the leg. Glue and drill the pilot hole and screw fix. Take care to have the 92mm face of the leg on the long side of the table (use 30mm x 8g screws).
7
Drill a 10mm hole (dowel size) in the vertical shelf support (refer to diagram). A small piece of dowel will later be inserted under the shelf to give support. Screw the vertical shelf support into the centre of the centre rail (three screws 30mm x 8g). (Diagram 5)
8
Make sure the shelf fits neatly between the inside corner of the legs but don't force it. Cut a slot 92mm x 18mm in the centre of the shelf to accept the vertical support. Mark on each leg 150mm down from the underside of the top rail. You might consider prefinishing the shelf with a stain or paint prior to fixing. Locate the shelf in position. Glue and fix nail into each leg and fit the small piece of dowel through the hole in the vertical shelf support.
9
Attach your selected fancy timber moulding around the edges of the table top, making sure it is flush with the top of the table. Mitre each corner, then glue and secure with fine panel pins.
10
Fill all holes and give all the surfaces a fine sand in preparation for your finish. Brush on a water-based walnut stain and, while it is still wet, gently rub over with a ribbed cotton cloth to achieve a wood grain effect.
11
Finish with a few coats of varnish.
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Materials
18mm MDF Masterwood: 1 sheet 1200mm x 600mm, cut the top 900mm x 550mm and three 438mm x 92mm pieces for the rails
1 sheet 900mm x 600mm, cut 824mm x 476mm and one 290mm x 92mm for the vertical shelf support 1 length 5.4m x 92mm, cut four 430mm x 92mm legs, two 824mm x 92mm rails and four 430mm x 74mm legs
2 pieces 1.8m x 18mm x 11mm fancy oak moulding (table edging)
PVA glue
Screws
Nails
Sandpaper
Saw
Square
Drill and drill bits
Countersink bit
Plane
Mitre box
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More Info
Materials available from your hardware store. CSR Masterwood available from good hardware stores nationwide.
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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