DIY Card Tables

A game of cards is best played on a card table.

Playing cards is one of the most popular pastimes in the world. A game of cards allows you time to relax and enjoy the company of friends and relatives. Card games are played by two or more people and typically require a table. You can easily make a simple, but functional table, to use as a card table or as a multipurpose table for when you're not playing cards.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4-inch plywood
• Wood saw
• Tape measure
• Medium-grit sandpaper
• Pencil
• Four wooden posts (3 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-29 inches)
• Nails
• Hammer
• Wood putty
• Paint
• fine-grit sandpaper

Instructions

1. Use a wood saw to cut a square piece of 3/4-inch plywood measuring 3 feet to a side. This plywood will serve as the tabletop. Smooth the edges of the plywood with medium-grit sandpaper to remove sharp edges.

2. Draw a straight line parallel to each side of the plywood 3 inches from each edge. Note that your lines have formed an outline of a box on the surface of the plywood.

3. Ask a helper to hold a 3 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-29 inch wooden post upright. Turn the plywood upside down so that the outline you just created is facing the floor. Position the plywood on top of the post so that it is flush with a corner of the square outline.

4. Fasten the plywood onto the wooden post by driving at least three nails through the plywood and into the post. Mount a wooden post onto each of the remaining three corners in the outline to complete the table legs following the same procedure as the first wooden post.

5. Stand along one side of the table and measure the distance from the outside edge of the right leg to the outside edge of the left leg. Cut a piece of plywood that equals this length by 4 inches wide.

6. Place the length of the cut plywood horizontally under the tabletop so that each end is flush to the outer edge of the left and right legs, and the top of the plywood is against the bottom of the tabletop. Attach the plywood securely to each post, using nails. Use the procedures in Step 5 for each side of the table.

7. Smooth all edges and surfaces of the table, using medium-grit sandpaper.

8. Apply wood putty to any cracks and gaps in the wood and allow the putty to dry. Sand the table with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe clean and paint your desired color and design.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut ends of each post square and plumb to allow the plywood to sit squarely on top of the post.

• Use a square measure to help you cut the ends of each wooden post squarely.

• Use finishing nails to hide the nails in the wood.

• Consider drilling through the wood and using wood screws to add more stability to the table.

• Exercise care when using tools to avoid injury.

References

• Paul Grothouse: Designing