Saturday Morning Workshop: Cantilever End Table
Updated: Aug. 25, 2020Add a modern splash to your living room by making this incredible cantilevered end table in about an hour.
Time An hour or less
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$20-50
Introduction
It's always fun to add flair to a room with new furniture, but furniture is expensive. This stylish end table, however, won't break the bank, and you can build it in a morning. It's a super clean design—just a box on stilts—that you can customize to suit your needs.Tools Required
- 16-gauge brad nail gun
- Clamps
- Drill/driver
- Miter saw
- Table saw
Materials Required
- 1-1/4” flat-head screws
- 1x2 board
- 1x3
- 2-in. 16-gauge brad nails
- 3-in. screws
- 3/4-in. plywood
- Painter's tape
- Wood glue
What It Takes
- Time: 1 hour
- Cost: $40
- Skill level: Beginner
Cutting List
Tech Art
Project step-by-step (5)
Mill parts to size
Follow the cutting list for the dimensions of the box top and bottom (A), box sides (B) and nailer strip (C). Cut 15-degree angles on the ends of the 1x2 pine legs (D). Cut the bottom brace (E) to length, and bevel both edges at 15-degrees on the table saw. The finished width is 1-1/2 in.
Assemble the box
Glue, clamp and fasten the ends of the box sides (B) to the box top and bottom (A) with 2-in. brad nails. Check for square. Glue, clamp and fasten the nailer strip (C) to the back edge of the box with 2-in. brad nails. Fill any voids and nail holes with wood filler, and then sand smooth.
Prime, paint and stain
Prime and paint the box. You may need more than one coat. Stain the legs (D) and bottom brace (E) and let them dry.
Attach the legs
Make a mark 4-in. from the front, bottom edge of the box. Clamp the legs in place so that the angles of the legs are flush with the top of the box and align with the mark you made. Tape along the legs (D). Drill pilot holes for the legs, in between the pieces of tape. Clamp the legs place, and then drill pilot holes into them from inside the box. Countersink for the screw heads and fasten the legs with 1-1/4 in. screws.
Attach the bottom brace
Glue, clamp and fasten the bottom brace (E) to the legs (D) with 2-in. brad nails. Align the face of the bottom brace with the front edge of the legs and the beveled edge with bottom of the box.
