Factory Cart Coffee Table

Factory Cart Coffee Table
Difficulty
Beginner Projects
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Reminiscent of antique factory carts, this easy to build coffee table will bring industrial charm to your living space. This coffee table sits lower than traditional coffee tables.

Factory Cart Coffee Table

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Factory Cart Coffee Table

Dimensions
Factory Cart Coffee Table
45 1/2" x 24 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Preparation

Shopping List

2 – 1×2 Boards, 8′ Long 4 – 1×6 Boards, 8′ Long Caster Wheels 2″ Screws 1 1/4″ Screws Wood Glue Wood Filler

Common Materials
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

4 – 1×2 @ 44″ (Supports) 12 – 1×6 @ 23 1/2″ (Tops, Ends, and Under Supports) 2 – 1×6 @ 45 1/2″ (Sides)

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Hammer
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Power Sander
General Instructions

Work on a clean level surface. Use good, straight boards. Use glue, pre-drill and countersink your screw holes. Check for square after each step. Use proper safety equipment and precautions.

Instructions

Step 1

Supports and Ends
Here’s the trick. Since you need a 3/4″ gap on top of the supports, rest a 1×6 under the supports but not under the ends boards. Then screw your end boards to the supports as shown above. Use glue.

Step 2

Tabletop Boards
Using 2″ screws and glue, fasten from the underside the supports and the tabletop boards. Keep outside edges flush. Minimize the gaps between the tabletop boards as you go along.

Step 3

Sides
Fasten the sides to the ends, as shown above. Then fasten through the undersupport into the sides, also as shown above. (click image for larger view).

Step 4

Caster Wheels Supports
From all sides, fasten the remaining 1×6 boards to the underside of the coffee table as shown above. Use 2″ screws and glue.

Step 5

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill any holes with wood filler, then sand and finish as desired.

Comments

Beth M. (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 01:54

Thank you SOOO MUCH for the thumbnails! I was looking for plans yesterday and thinking something like that would be very helpful, but I realized how much work it would be to create so I didn't ask. You did it anyway! Yay!

ourtinydot (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 01:58

Very cool, Ana. I find myself looking at items in magazines all the time wondering how it would work to hack it and how it would integrate into my spaces. Too bad real life limits us in time and space to do all we would see to accomplish. You have got to be crazy busy with all you've been doing, but the plan catalog is fantastic and Mr. Linky parties will be very fun.

joyandcontentment (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 02:21

Oh my GOSH! I have been looooooonging to see thumbnails on your site! It will make my drooling over plans so much more productive! Thanks!

~Trina

Heidi (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 02:39

Thank you so much for the awesome coffee table plans, I was dreaming about this last night! And how awesome to have those thumbnails!

Curried Cupcakes (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 02:40

I have been waiting for a plan catalog since i found your site. Thank you so much for taking the time to create one.

I would defiantly participate in the Mclinky. You could do it once a month or probably one a week with as many submissions you receive. Either way it would be a great regular feature. I don't know if you can do that with a pic instead of words for a link, but for the furniture that would be neat.

CHRISTINA (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 03:06

i love your thumbnail links! i'm new to blogging can you share? and I do have plans of building a few things on your site. I just need to know how to link to your page!

Nicole (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 03:09

I love this coffee table. I'm working on the wall book rack right now, but as soon as I finish it, I am making THIS!!!

aSprinkling (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 03:40

Love the thumbnails! It makes it so easy to look through the plans.

Now, I have another idea for you...a list of links of actual builds of each plan. Wouldn't it be great to see what people have actually built from a plan you want to use yourself! I think it would!

Donna @ Mudpie… (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 05:45

Thank you soooo much for the thumbnails! It makes it much easier to find the plans. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to do this. It is much appreciated.

Yolanda (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 07:03

I have been loving the factory cart table trend. It would be awesome to build this out of reclaimed wood or used shipping crates.

And the Knock Off Wood Catalog is completely awesome. Working on that must have been nothing short of painful. Thank you for making the effort!

Laura (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 07:39

Thank you soooo much for the thumbnails! It makes it so easy to quickly look through all your projects! Love it!!!

haley8 (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 07:56

Ana, the thumb nails are great, I didn't realize how many plans you had until today!!!

The coffee table is exactly what I've been looking for! going to try to build it this weekend.

Megan (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 08:43

I love your site! I was wondering, do you have plans for a piano bench? I desperatly need one for our old piano!

Kirsten (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 10:31

LOVE the new plan catalog!! I also love the section that lets readers add their stuff--so fun to see what people come up with! Thanks so much for all your hard work:).

The Whitings i… (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 10:56

Thanks for all the plans! I've been looking through your Plan Catalog all day when I have a moment here and there. The thumbnails are GREAT! We're moving soon and I can't wait to make some new furniture for our house. I love all the pictures of what people have made...it makes it all seem so possible.

BrokenPerfection (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 11:24

So I Love the idea! But I just had light bulb go off... Why not close off the bottom and may the top hinge up some how to allow for hiding things in it like game counsel controllers.... or ad a couple drawers to it...:) now that would be even more cool...

BrokenPerfection (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 11:24

So I Love the idea! But I just had light bulb go off... Why not close off the bottom and may the top hinge up some how to allow for hiding things in it like game counsel controllers.... or ad a couple drawers to it...:) now that would be even more cool...

Jolena (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 12:24

The thumbnails are so helpful! My husband and I are going to do a few of your plans this summer and this makes it so much easier to find them!

TCK (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 13:00

THANK YOU FOR THE THUMBNAILS. I have always thought something like that would be AWESOME. But I knew it would be to much work. Or so I thought it would be. Do proved me WRONG!!

And I think the Linky Parties would be AWESOME!!

Leslie (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 14:47

I love, love, love the catalog! Ana, you continue to take this site up new levels. Phew!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, the coffee table is awesome! I can't wait to build this beauty! The green is also crazy cool. I'm thinking red formine or maybe a bright turqoise!

Midnight Rambler (not verified)

Tue, 05/04/2010 - 16:50

I love this table too, but have been thinking about how I could incorporate a couple drawers into it to hide remotes, magazines, etc. I'm sure though, with the knowledge you've given us with your site Ana, that I can figure it out. :o)

charlotteannette (not verified)

Wed, 05/05/2010 - 07:17

Ana I know it must have sucked really bad to do all those links, but THANK YOU! Your site is so improved by your work. I was wondering though, I want the craft organizer plans for wrapping paper and stuff and I can't find it. did you have to take it down?

o.me.o.mio (not verified)

Thu, 05/06/2010 - 04:52

When I saw this plan, I knew I just had to make this coffee table (it was exactly what I had been hoping for). I went out and purchased the lumber immediately. This being my first diy project, I was apprehensive. So far I have broken two bits but I am having a blast and am pretty happy with the results so far. Its far from perfect, but then again, so am I ;) This project has been empowering, so thank you Ana and all your followers for giving me the courage to try something new. Now I just need to figure out what type of finish to give my new favorite piece of furniture. Will post pictures when I am done.

Katrina Giselle (not verified)

Thu, 05/06/2010 - 15:10

People who are currently building this project: Doesn't the height measurement seem a little small to you? I am done building it, but it is so low. I did use 4" casters instead of 6" because that is all the store had, but it's really low...
Any input would be great.

Ana White (not verified)

Thu, 05/06/2010 - 15:16

This coffee table is definitely lower than most because it's a modern factory cart style. If you notice in the inspiration photo the table is very low. I actually used dimensions off of a popular West Elm coffee table to guide this design. You could add a shelf underneath to raise the table, but it's definitely lower than a standard coffee table.

Courtney (not verified)

Tue, 05/11/2010 - 09:27

I REALLY want this table. MUST go to Home Depot ASAP, wish me luck... To anyone who has made it, what have you paid in terms of supplies?

Austin (not verified)

Tue, 05/11/2010 - 15:45

I Just finished this table. I used 6 inch cast iron casters it is only about 2-3 inches shorter than our old coffee table. This was the first piece of furniture that I have ever built. Turned out OK.

Becky (not verified)

Sat, 06/05/2010 - 19:03

I just built this as well. I used 4x4 posts as the legs instead of wheels (only because I could envision my children wheeling each other into the wall). I kept the legs at 6", but you could always make them longer if you don't like it so low like the wheels make it.

Labrat407 (not verified)

Sun, 07/04/2010 - 12:45

Ana - I found your blog 2 days ago. (Googled deck bench with storage)...I am going through each page, reading everything and taking it ALL in. I'm really eager beaver to start a few projects. Where oh where do I start!! We've been on a tight budget for years, I like making our own furniture, customizing it for our space (small 78 year old home) which is only 1200 square feet for 5. I'm going gaga over everything. THANK YOU SO MUCH for EVERYTHING. Count me in as one more of your life long fans. Cheers!!

Your fan,
Labrat407's wife Exoteric

Kris (not verified)

Thu, 09/02/2010 - 18:27

So Ive had all the hardware and supplies in my garage for this table for over 6 months waiting for my husband to put it all together, sand, paint, etc. It wasnt until I saw this on your site that I got the confidence to do it myself! I just finished sanding for tonight since the kids needed baths, story time and now bed time! I plan on finishing the rest of the sanding, painting and adding the hardware as quickly as I can! Ill be posting pics as soon as its done! Thanks so much for giving this very tired, hard working mom the confidence to "take the bull by the horns" and accomplish something that I once thought was beyond my skill level! This means more to me than I could possibly put into words!

chrisandpatience (not verified)

Thu, 09/16/2010 - 13:29

Ana,

I need a table that is around 17 inches tall. I was wondering what you thought about using 1x12's for the sides instead of the 1x6's? I just dont want it to look awkward.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Peace,
Patience

natasha (not verified)

Fri, 10/01/2010 - 16:31

ok I totally NEED to make the table in the last photo with the wheels so can anyone tell me a great place to find vintage metal wheels??!

Jamie (not verified)

Wed, 01/19/2011 - 14:44

I want to adapt THIS table to be a lego table. My design tastes are a little more modern/eclectic than the pottery barn. Any chance you could give some tips on how to make this into a storage table with a flip top lid? It seems like a simple modification, but without exact measurements, I think I would screw it up.

Sarah R. (not verified)

Wed, 02/02/2011 - 15:50

FYI--if you love the look of those casters on the inspiration pic, just google 'cast iron casters' on ebay (maybe add 'antique' to that), and a pretty decent selection comes up!

Jenn (not verified)

Tue, 02/08/2011 - 09:50

I came across this browsing through your site and thought it was kinda cool...then I realized how much easier it would be to vacuum my living room if my coffee table had wheels! GENIUS! I think I'm going to have to add this to my project list, and figure out how to add some storage. Thanks!

southerngirl183

Mon, 03/21/2011 - 07:26

I just finished my first project (6 cube cubby) and am working on this one now. I LOVE the stain Rebecca used and would love to know what it is!!!

Heidi Lee (not verified)

Sun, 05/22/2011 - 08:32

Anna-

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your site! Just wondering if it would be possible to combine this coffee table and your lego table? Some sort of storage to this one to make it higher. I am sure it is possible, but just wondering if you would be able to share it and do it better than I could. Of course, you could do it better, but then it could be shared. :)

BIG fan,
Heidi

ekm2010

Mon, 06/06/2011 - 22:17

I just finished with this coffee table this evening. I was a little confused at first becuase I was wanting my coffee table to turn out like the table in the first picture (the rustic one) but I realized shortly after buying my supplies that the plans are for the green table. Do you have plans for the rustic table?? Thanks Ana for the great site! I love love love it!! No more drooling over Pottery Barn and West Elm lol

Thanks!

ekm2010

Mon, 06/06/2011 - 22:17

I just finished with this coffee table this evening. I was a little confused at first becuase I was wanting my coffee table to turn out like the table in the first picture (the rustic one) but I realized shortly after buying my supplies that the plans are for the green table. Do you have plans for the rustic table?? Thanks Ana for the great site! I love love love it!! No more drooling over Pottery Barn and West Elm lol

Thanks!