Plans for a play table with storage compartment hidden beneath acrylic glass.
Preparation
1 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
2 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
2 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
1/4" plywood 19" x 19"
1/4" acrylic glass 19" x 19"
4 - 2x2 @ 20 3/8" (Both ends cut at 5 degree angle/5 degree bevel off square - ends are parallel to each other)
4 - 1x4 @ 19" (Short point to short point, both ends cut at 5 degree angle off square, ends are NOT parallel)
4 - 1x4 @ 5 1/2" (Both ends cut at 45 degrees off square, ends not parallel, long point to long point)
2 - 1x3 @ 19"
3 - 1x3 @ 17 1/2"
2 - 1x3 @ 8 3/8"
1/4" plywood @ 19" x 19"
2 - 1x4 @ 19"
2 - 1x4 @ 24"
1 - 1/4" acrylic glass @ 19" x 19"
Read through plan and cut all angles carefully.
Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!
Instructions
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 7
It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Comments
lkuchinskas
Mon, 12/19/2011 - 12:49
Perfect for storing legos!
Ana, this is awesome as usual. Although my boys do love arts and crafts, this is perfect for organizing and storing tiny lego pieces so the baby can't get to them. Way to go!
Crystal R (not verified)
Mon, 12/19/2011 - 13:53
I think I may, no, definitely
I think I may, no, definitely MUST make this. Except, I'll have to make it taller (and maybe longer) for my 7 year old who is the size of an 11 year old.
Chelsey Sullivan (not verified)
Mon, 12/19/2011 - 14:20
Love it!
This is a fantastic idea. Any mother that struggles with tiny toys or messy toys will want one of these. I was thinking this would be great for my all my daughters little polly pocket pieces. Wonderful idea. Thank you for sharing!
LizC (not verified)
Mon, 12/19/2011 - 14:43
I'm worried about the long term tidiness.
While I love this idea for displays, or for toys that get played with elsewhere, I don't like it for stuff that's used on the table.
When they get out supplies, the only place to set them (and the paper) is on the floor or the chair. When it's time to clean up, first they have to clear the table, then lift the lid, then finally put away the supplies and replace the lid.
I'd love to see each child have a work space next to this storage table (maybe attached to either side) so they can take the lid off and then use supplies right from the table as they work, putting each item back as they're done.
Using the table as a raised caddy rather than a workspace would also mean you wouldn't have to keep the area under the table free for knees and you could mount shelving for paper, coloring books, or whatever.
beingbrook
Mon, 12/19/2011 - 14:48
Love it!
So cute!! What a great way to store all the art supplies or other special treasures.
LisaT (not verified)
Mon, 12/19/2011 - 19:55
GREAT IDEA!
This is such a cute idea! It would make clean-up even more fun because the children can see the fruit of their labor and it looks pretty when their done with all the colors and items visible! Thanks, Ana, for all the great Christmas projects!
MamaJo (not verified)
Mon, 12/19/2011 - 21:07
Awesome
I don't know if I would store supplies in view like that. I would frost the acrylic glass so I would not see the mess. But I think this would be a great light box table. If you don't put in the dividers and put in a rope light with the acrylic glass frosted. Thanks for the plans.
In reply to Awesome by MamaJo (not verified)
loniwolfe
Tue, 12/20/2011 - 04:47
Fantastic!
That's a great idea! I didn't even think about that, and I need one! (Ok, I don't know why I need it, I'm a printer, I really really want it, lol)
Thanks!
biz_kid1
Tue, 12/20/2011 - 08:20
Whiteboard and chalkboard paint
Would work on either side of the lid, too. And keep both sides perfectly usable, too!
Jim (not verified)
Tue, 12/20/2011 - 09:06
Craft table
I'm confused on the legs can you go into more details?
cdmccreary
Mon, 12/26/2011 - 14:38
Craft Table
Just a minor point. If you cut the ends of legs to 5 degrees and lean them in the same 5 degrees (Angle A), the mating frame sides should be cut differently than 5 degrees (Angle A). Since the sides of the table are 45 degrees (Angle B) to the leg rotation angle A. The leg face only inclines about 3.55 degrees (Angle C).
The plan suggests 5 degrees for this matching angle but this is approximate and will not make for easy assembly.
To cut the angles accurately and on a miter saw you need trigonometric formulas or matrices OUCH, and a drawing would help.
Rotation angle of leg A = 5 deg
Rotation axis B = 45 deg
So...
I wrote a not so simple spreadsheet to calculate different angles including the one needed for a perfect fits on the the table sides. This way the other parts can be cut at perfect angles.
If you want a copy of the spreadsheet and drawing let me know.
Fernanda D`Angelo (not verified)
Thu, 01/05/2012 - 18:24
About play table "the arts and crafts table."
Hi, Ana!
I`m journalist from Brazil and I`ll make a article to brazilian design magazines about products to kids, from furniture to utensils, and I would like tlak to you about your project play table "the arts and crafts table" and to know tha possibility of publishing their work in the magazine, wich is called DOCOL. Please, I need the high resolution photo about the product and a picture yourself in high resolution too.
Please, talk to me as soon as possible!
Any questions, my e-mail address is [email protected]
Sorry for my english!
Best regards,
Fernanda D`Angelo
ShaunIndiana (not verified)
Tue, 01/31/2012 - 10:27
Great Project Plan---I made modification for top cover opening
Great Plans!! My daughters and I made this and it looks great!!!
I did make a modification for opening the top plexiglass cover. I didn't want to drill a hole in the top reducing the work space arrangement. We came up with a loading method that "lifts" the plexiglass cover up with a "secret" dowl rod from underneath.
I used 1/4" dowel rod with a washer as a stop & a wood handle for the push part. See pictures below.
To open the cover, simply push up on the dowel rod from underneath. My girls loved this "secret" way of opening it.
JPM (not verified)
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 15:42
Cut list has an error!
I am sure others have probably figured this out, but nobody has posted on it. The cut list has an error on it. The 2 19" 1x4's and 2 24" 1x4's on at the end of the cut list should actually be 1x3's. The drawing in step 9 correctly shows 1x3's. If you attempt to use 1x4's like I did, you will not have enough width on the table top to straddle the dividers you make in step 4.
Otherwise, this is an excellent plan, and will be a great birthday surprise for my little one!
Leslie Shappell (not verified)
Fri, 11/16/2012 - 13:32
Thank You
Thank you, Ana! This is great! I'm thinking of building two: one for legos and the other for art supplies.