This simple console table is ideal for building with a nailer, if you have one. It uses mostly 1x boards, so will be lightweight and sturdy. Many of our readers have had success with this project. Special thanks to one of our readers, Jen, for sharing their photo with us.
Preparation
3 - 1x3 boards, 8' length
A) 4 - 1x3 @ 29 1/4" (Fronts and Backs of the Legs)
Instructions
Step 1
Construct your legs by nailing through the 1x3 legs into the edge of the 1x2 legs with 2" nails and glue. The legs will be positioned with the 1x3s to the front, 1x2s to the side, as shown in the diagram.
Step 2
Start by marking each of the legs 5" from the bottom of the board. This will be the bottom of the side support, C. Nail C to the legs, using 1 1/4" nails and glue, from the inside.
Step 3
Now add the stretcher, D, centering D on the support, C, but keeping the top edges flush. D will lay flat, with the wide side up. This is demonstrated above. Use glue and 2" nails, nailing through the support, C, into the end of D.
Step 4
Add the side trim pieces, E. First, nail through the supports C into E, using 2" nails. Then nail down the length of the stretcher, taking care to keep the top edge of the stretcher (D) perfectly flush with the top edge of the stretcher support (E). Use glue and 2" nails.
Step 5
Step 6
Do the same for the front and back apron pieces, G, as shown above. Nail through G into the legs using 1 1/4" nails and glue. Keep top edges flush. Take a minute to check for square
Step 7
Now add the base top, piece H. Keep the front and back edges flush with the legs, but let the sides overhang 4" on either side. Nail into the legs and the apron using 2" nails and glue.
Step 8
Use glue and 1 1/4" nails to attach the breadboard ends to the base top. Keep all outside edges flush.
Step 9
I recommend not cutting the final piece, J, unitl you have taken an exact measurement. Add the final piece, using glue and 1 1/4" nails.
Comments
mommybake (not verified)
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 06:04
WOW! I love your blog!! But
WOW! I love your blog!! But I have to admit - I am REALLY scared of the tools!! I don't suppose you live close to Boise, ID and you could come over and help?!? Keep blogging because I love it!! And I just found you today!! Thanks!!!
Jori Hodgson (not verified)
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 11:56
Hi Ana! Thanks so much for
Hi Ana! Thanks so much for sharing all of this extremely useful information. I plan on making one of your bookshelves once I finish this majorly huge craft table I came up with. Yikes..
Anyway...on this particular table, do you think it's sturdy and large enough to hold a 32" flat screen tv?
Ana White (not verified)
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 12:47
Jori, Yes, this will easily
Jori, Yes, this will easily support a 32" flatscreen. In fact, check out the bragging board. Kelsey made this exact console table and I posted the photos with a TV on it! I think the TV was much bigger, too.
Just make sure you do a good job building it. Sounds like you know what you are doing!
Good luck!
Jori Hodgson (not verified)
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 22:23
You're right. That has got to
You're right. That has got to be bigger than a 32". Awesome! I'll be making this soon (or just whenever this other project is done).
The table I'm making now is an L shaped table that has bookshelves as the legs so I can have some storage. Sounds clever, but it's deemed itself to be pretty tricky. Mostly because my only workspace is my little apartment. Maybe I'll post a link to you once I'm finished :)
Take care.
Lee (not verified)
Thu, 01/21/2010 - 16:40
We made this table over the
We made this table over the weekend. Was a fun project to do with our two-year old son who loves tools. It's painted yellow and in our living room. Was so easy. We spent $90 (pine boards and cedar legs) including the paint and primer.
Crazy Girl Blond (not verified)
Sat, 01/23/2010 - 23:18
I would like to add the shelf
I would like to add the shelf to the bottom of this table like Kelsey did. What size board would that be and how would you modify the plan to include a shelf. Thanks for all the great plans and ideas!
Jo (not verified)
Sat, 02/06/2010 - 18:22
Hi Ana, I love your blog and
Hi Ana, I love your blog and today for the very first time, my husband and I built our first piece of furniture. We are so thrilled and thank you so much for plans! They were easy to follow and totally accurate!
We only made a slight mod which was to move the stretcher to the back. this allowed us to have space to hide our recycling center.
I would love to share with you pictures sometime.
THANKS!!!
Anonymous (not verified)
Fri, 02/19/2010 - 03:00
This was my first project,
This was my first project, and I used my brand new tools for it! (Never held a saw, nailgun or handsander in my life.) But Ana made me feel that I could do it, and I DID! This is a good first project, though I would also recommend the 'super easy bench' for a first attempt because it is something that a total newbie can get done in one day. Instant gratification! LOL-Thanks, ANA!
Carly (not verified)
Thu, 04/01/2010 - 02:59
Hi Ana...I've just finished
Hi Ana...
I've just finished building this console table. I didn't have a nail gun so I used a hammer, nails and muscle. I remember you mentioning that when you build your own furniture it has a story, well this one certainly does. I'm banging away (in my dining room) thinking how strong and sturdy it is and what a wonderful job I'm doing. I go to lift it up and I've nailed it to our hardwood floor!!! I used the wrong nails and the thing would not budge...talk about strong!!
Anyway, I'll post pics when I've finished painting but just wanted to say thank you all the way from Australia. I used to drool at the Pottery Barn website and think I would never be able to have anything as nice...now I drool on YOUR site and know I can have something just as nice...built by me! That's if I don't nail it to the floor lol.
Thanks again ;)
WAHOME (not verified)
Tue, 09/07/2010 - 14:31
I made this table yesterday
I made this table yesterday and everything was going smoothly until I got to the table top. My 1 x 12 actually measures 11.25, instead of 11.5 leaving it 1/4 inch short from fitting flush! :( I made another trip to a different hardware store today, and looked at all of the 1 x 12's and took my tape measure with me. They all measure 11.25!! What gives. I hate to purchase a laminate pine that is 18" wide and have to cut to down, they are much more expensive. I considered cutting two boards and making it work that way, with line right down the middle or maybe in thirds for very top. Anyone else have this problem. All of the other pieces fit perfectly!!