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Modern Craft Table

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Modern Craft Table

About Project

A beautiful craft table is simply a tabletop supported by bookshelves. Special thanks to Cherish for sharing her beautiful inspiring photos with us.

Dimensions

Dimensions: 
Modern Craft Table
Dimensions: 
Overall Dimensions are shown above.

Materials and Tools

Shopping List: 

1 – Sheet of 3/4″ Plywood or MDF (Can use 1/2 sheet, tabletop will be 6″ narrower)
3- 8′ 1×12 (Tops and Small Shelves/Two Large Shelves and One Bottom)
1 – 12′ 1×12 (Ends, Dividers)
1 – 12′ 1×10 (Small Bookshelf Sides)
7 – 8′ 1×2
2 – 8′ 2×2
2″ Finish Nails
2″ Screws or 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
Wood Glue
Finishing Supplies

Tools: 
measuring tape
square
pencil
hammer
safety glasses
hearing protection
drill
sander

Cut List

Cut List: 

Cut List for Project Table (Two Bookshelf Bases and One Top)

2 – 1×12 @ 37 1/4″ (Bookshelf Tops)
2 – 1×12 @ 33 1/2″ (Bookshelf Ends)
2 – 1×12 @ 32″ (Bookshelf Divider)
2 – 1×12 @ 36 1/2″ (Bookshelf Bottom)
4 – 1×12 @ 27″ (Large Shelves)
4 – 1×10 @ 34 1/4″ (Small Bookshelf Sides)
4 – 1×12 @ 8 3/4″ (Small Shelves)
8 – 1×2 @ 27 3/4″ (Large Shelf Side Trim)
8 – 1×2 @ 31 1/4″ (End Trim)
4 – 1×2 @ 13″ (Small Shelf Top and Bottom Trim)
4 – 2×2 @ 36 1/2″ (Floating Base Sides)
4 – 2×2 @ 8 1/2″ (Floating Base Ends)
1 – 3/4″ Plywood or MDF @ 38″ x 54″ (Top) (For 1/2 sheet of plywood, top is 38″ x 48″)
4 – 2×2 @ 10″ (Floating Base Ends)
4 – 1×2 @ 36 1/2″ (Floating Base Sides)

Step 1

Modern Craft Table

Begin by measuring and cutting all your boards. Mark out all joints before any assembly. If you are using pocket holes, drill all pocket holes. If you are using screws, drill pilot holes. Attach the pieces with 2″ screws and glue or 1 1/4″ pocket holes screws and glue. Keep outside edges flush. You can optionally attach the shelves (orange) with shelf pins to create adjustable shelves

Step 2

Modern Craft Table

This is where that nailer would be handy. Attach with glue and 2″ finish nails the small bookshelf sides. Leave 3/4″ under the bottom and make sure you also attach to the center divider (Back of small bookshelf).

Step 3

Modern Craft Table

You can either place these shelves with shelf pins or use finish nails and glue to secure in place.

Step 4

Modern Craft Table

Attach the large shelf trim to the sides, keeping top edges flush, with 2″ finish nails and glue. If you are using a Kreg Jig™, build a face frame separately, then attach with 2″ finish nails and glue.

Step 5

Modern Craft Table

Attach the closed end trim to the end with 2″ finish nails and glue. For fixed shelves, make sure you also nail to the shelves too.

Step 6

Modern Craft Table

If you are using pocket hole screws, build your face frame separately, then attach with 2″ finish nails and glue. Otherwise, nail the trim on with 2″ finish nails and glue.

Step 7

Modern Craft Table

Attach the small shelf side trim with 2″ finish nails and glue.

Step 8

Modern Craft Table

Use 2″ screws and glue to attach the floating base sides to the bottom of the bookshelves.

Step 9

Modern Craft Table

Attach the floating base ends to the bookshelf with 2″ screws and glue.

Step 10

Modern Craft Table

Use 2″ screws and glue to attach the floating base ends to the underside of the tabletop. See measurements above for placement.

Step 11

Modern Craft Table

Attach the floating base sides to the ends with 2″ finish nails and glue.

Step 12

Modern Craft Table

From the underside of the bookshelves, screw into the floating base with 2″ screws. You may wish to finish the edges of the tabletop with edge banding or nosing for a more finished look. Finish as desired.

And I'm so sad that the sun went down before I could snap some photos of some of my projects from this weekend.  You must stop back by and check them out later this week - I know you are going to love them as much as I do!  In the meantime, I wanted to finish plans for the Mod Modular Office Collection Project Desk.

Pin it
jojabis's picture
 #
we had been just toying

we had been just toying around with the idea of this very thing for my bother-in-law thank you

 
rcasbeer's picture
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After the low bookcase was

After the low bookcase was posted last week, I was trying to think of how I would build it with three shelves and a little shorter. This is perfect. Thanks!

 
Ana White - Craft Table Two - Splitcoaststampers.com's picture
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[...] White - Craft Table Two

[...] White - Craft Table Two Has anyone else seen this? How to Build a Modern Project Table Ana is amazing! __________________ Diana Blessinger [...]

 
megnstuff's picture
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i wish i had room for a table

i wish i had room for a table like this... maybe the kids wouldn't mind if i took over their play room!

 
CreativeCarol's picture
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If I put this on casters

If I put this on casters would I need to reduce the height of the table a bit or wouldn't it matter?

 
Build The Ultimate Crafting Table! « Everything Your Mama Ma's picture
 #
[...] today is because a few

[...] today is because a few days ago she shared a project that is a crafters dream!  She calls it the Mod Modular Office Collection Project Desk, my sewing friends and I call it The Ultimate Crafting Table!  So if you have a handy hubby, dad, [...]

 
Bedford Project Table Set — Knock Off Decor's picture
 #
[...] of my favorite blogs,

[...] of my favorite blogs, Shanty 2 Chic took the challenge on Ana-White.com (another one of my faves) to make her own craft table for her [...]

 
Kristen Peterson's picture
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This is so cool! I have not

This is so cool! I have not done a lot of DIY so this sounds a bit tricky, but with a handy boyfriend and your helpful schematics, I think I can do it! Knock off decor sent me over to this link and I think I'm going to find some amazing projects to do! Thanks for sharing you advice!

 
Make your own not-$500-project-table with no power tools* « 's picture
 #
[...] if Pottery Barn had

[...] if Pottery Barn had their version, the knock-offs had to be out there too.  And there were, even plans to make your own from (the possibly a wood-working genius) Ana White. But the knock-offs (even the really cool [...]

 
Craft desk too…Done! — Ana White's picture
 #
[...] in Brag Blog,FEATURED

[...] in Brag Blog,FEATURED Put on my TO-DO List Save as PDF Print this PostShare/Bookmark Builder: Cherish Fiedler Experience Level: Absolute Beginner Estimated Cost: 150.00 Estimated Time Investment: 1 day From Plan: http://ana-white.com/2010/09/and-the-craft-table-too.html [...]

 
Liz's picture
 #
I love this project and need

I love this project and need a table like this.

I was wondering if there's a way to have a see-thru top?
so I could shine a light up to make tracing patterns easier.

any suggestions?

 
dan-k's picture
 #
tracing table idea

I have three options for ya:

Buy a large smooth glass cutting board and jigsaw out a hole in the desktop to allow the cutting board to sit flush with the top.  You'll have to build a ledges around the inside of the hole to support the cutting board at the right height.
 
A local glass company can sell you piece of 1/4" glass to cover the whole desktop. They will cut it to fit and polish the edges.  You could then have a movable piece of the desktop that would allow you to shine a light up from underneath.   Think trapdoor on hinges.

Order a small piece of 1/4" tempered glass to use to build a stand alone lightbox. 

Yes you could use plexiglass, but it will get scratched and cloudy over time.

 
JoyofBaking's picture
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The New Ana-White.com is AMAZING

I LOVE THE NEW SITE AND I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU TOOK CHARGE AND DID THIS ALL YOURSELF!!! 

Seriously, I love this.  I finally joined and am now putting together my to-do list.  Thank you SO MUCH for providing this wonderful resource.  It means so much.

 
Guest's picture
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Shelving space

Does anyone know if the fabric drawers that you see at Target, etc. will fit on these shelves?

 
Guest's picture
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My New Craft Table!!

Just went to Home Depot yesterday, bought all the materials needed & cut all the boards, can't wait to put it together today! Will post pictures of it later! :) Though we may be making a few modifications on a table I had seen that looks just like it, but with a few different ideas!

 
townsean's picture
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Great craft table plan

I think this is going to be the first project I try to build. I'm super excited, yet very nervous @_@

 
Guest's picture
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Craft table

Can you people give me an idea of the cost of all materials to get table finished? my craft room looks like a mess and I think this table and some shelf are going to be the solution to my headaches :)

thx

 
Margaret Kubiszyn's picture
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You can take the materials

You can take the materials list and go to lowes.com and price it out pretty quickly!

 
sewserious's picture
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Craft Table -- could I easily make it 30" wide?

Would this be easy to modify to make it 30" wide instead of 38"? I'll be using it for a cutting table, and don't really need it to be 38".

 

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