How to Make Bedside Tables

Bedside tables are one of the greatest inventions around. They vary in shape and size and can be found to fit anyone’s pocketbook. The most elaborate bedside tables are handcrafted and display rich exotic woods with carvings and colors that are difficult to describe. Depending on your taste, you can build a set of bedside tables that match your personality or they can be simple flat surfaces on which to place a lamp and a glass of water for bedtime. The most difficult part of building a table is the legs. It is recommended that these be purchased. Legs that vary only slightly will cause a table to wobble.

Things You'll Need

• 1 piece of oak plywood 18-inches x 24-inches
• 4 oak legs 24 inches long
• 2 pieces of 1 x 2 inch oak 16 inches long
• 2 pieces of 1 x 2 inch oak 14 ½ inches long
• 8-feet of ¾ inch flat mold
• Wood glue
• Brads
• Electric miter box
• Variable-speed drill
• 1 ¾ -inch drywall screws
• 1/8-inch drill bit
• 3/8-inch drill bit
• Hammer
• Nail set
• 100 grit Sand paper

Instructions

1. Label the 1 piece of oak plywood 18-inches x 24-inches as the top. Drill holes in the edges of the 1 x 2 inch oak, 3 inches from the ends, with the 1/8-inch drill bit. Then, drill the countersink holes with the 3/8-inch drill bit. Do not drill more than halfway through. Do this on all four 1 x 2-inch oak pieces.

2. Turn the top so that the bottom side is up. Draw a line 1-inch from the edge around the perimeter of the top.

3. Run a bead of wood glue to the long edge of the 1 x 2-inch oak and secure it to the bottom side of the top. Be certain to line it up with the 1-inch mark around the perimeter of the top. Repeat this until all four pieces of the 1 x 2-inch oak has been installed.

4. Measure and cut the flat mold to make a picture frame that will cover the plywood edge of the top. Secure these pieces with the brads and set the nail heads with the nail set.

5. Apply glue to the end of the leg that secures to the bottom side of the top. Place it in the corners created by the 1 x 2-inch oak. Secure the leg by driving 1 ¼-inch drywall screws through the 1 x 2-mch oak and into the leg. Repeat this until all four legs are installed. Turn table upright, sand lightly, and finish as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety glasses.

• Place a heavy object on the table to help the glue on the legs set up securely.

• Wood buttons can be used to fill screw holes if desired.

• Do not leave power tools unattended.

Resources

• Bedside Tables