How to Build a Dining Table for 8 Out of a Single Sheet of Plywood

1 Sheet of Plywood + 1 Saturday = 1 Big and Beautiful Dining Room Table. It may sound impossible, but you can build a dining table that seats eight out of a single sheet of plywood. It's easy to build and lasts a lifetime.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• (1) 5 foot x 10 foot sheet of birch plywood
• Circular saw
• Mitering table saw (optional)
• Brad nailer/brads
• Drill
• Wood screws
• Wood filler
• Orbital sander
• Stain
• Lacquer
• Birch stain-able edge-banding
• Edge-banding trimmer
• Glue
• Pocket screw kit (optional)
• Wood filler

1. Buy a 5-foot x 10-foot piece of 3/4-inch birch plywood. Most home improvement stores will let you make one cut on their panel saw at no cost. Make sure the cut leaves one piece at 6 feet long.

2. 
   cut layout

   Make these Cuts:
   1 piece @ 72 inches x 40 inches (table top)
   2 pieces @ 62 inches x 4 inches (long edge rails)
   2 pieces @ 30 inches x 4 inches (short edge rails)
   3 pieces @ 32 1/2 inches x 3 7/8 inches (support braces)
   16 pieces @ 28 3/4 inches x 3 inches mitered at 45 degrees on both edges of one long side (legs)
   4 pieces @ 5 1/2 inches x 3 7/8 inches mitered at 45 degrees on both edges of one long side (corner braces)

3. sand one side of the table top all rails and the wider side of all the legs. Start with 120-grit sandpaper and finish with 220.

4. Pocket screw one long edge of all rails and support braces so that the screw, when inserted, pokes out into the 3/4-inch edge. Do the same thing on both ends of all rails and braces.

5. Edge-band all 3/4-inch edges of the table top. Edge-band one long edge of all rails (the opposite edge of the pocket screw). Set aside for the glue to dry. Trim when dry.

6. 
   top view of leg

   Build the legs. Attach (4) mitered pieces together, mitered side in, using glue and brads. You will produce a 3-inch x 3-inch square. See attached image. Repeat for the next three legs.

7. Attach long and short rails to the top of the legs. Center all rails on the legs. 1 1/8 inches of leg will show on either side of the rails. Make sure you are flush with the top.

8. Attach all three braces. Space evenly and make sure you are flush with the top. The rails will hang down 1/8 inch lower than the braces.

9. Place the table top face (better looking side) down. Place the frame on top. Center. You will have 2 inches of table showing on both sides and both edges. Attach using the pre-drilled pocket holes.

10. Attach corner braces. Face the mitered edges toward the legs. The center of the brace will touch the inside corner of the leg. Screw into the leg.

11. Flip your table over. Stain. Add 2 coats of lacquer sanding lightly in between coats.

12. Invite seven friends to dinner.

Tips & Warnings

• Try using a dark stain like mahogany.
• Measure twice. Cut once.
• Make sure your legs are all the same length.
• Don't paint or stain without ventilation.

[blindbootlegger]

on 8/5/2009 Your nearly total lack of illustrations throughout the site is both maddening and very unhelpful