A fabulous outdoor coffee table to go with out fabulous outdoor Chesapeake Collection…though I honestly feel like this entire collection would be amazing inside too!
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Under $25
- Tape Measure
- Sander
- Drill
- Jig Saw – optional and you can also use a table saw or circular saw to notch out the corners of the bottom shelf boards.
- Kreg Jig® (pocket hole system)
- 1 – 2×2 at 8’
- 1 – 1×4 at 8’
- 1 – 1×4 at 6’
- 9 – 1×3 at 8’
- 2 – 1×2 at 8’
- 1 – 1×2 at 6’ (if 8’ furring strips are cheaper for you, just purchase 3 of those rather than 2 at 8’ and one at 6’)
- 1 1/4” Pocket Hole Screws – Stainless Steel or Blue Kote if this is for outdoor use 1 1/4” – 2” Finish Nails – galvanized or coated if for outdoor use any size in between 1 1/4” and 2” will work, so I give you a range to enable you to use what you might already have on hand. If you need to purchase I would lean toward the 2” side of the spectrum.
- Wood Glue – suitable for outdoor use if need be
- Sanding Supplies
- Finishing Supplies
- 4 – 2×2 at 17 1/4” Legs
- 2 – 1×4 at 16 3/4” Top Side Bread Boards
- 2 – 1×4 at 48” Top Front and Back Outside Boards
- 2 – 1×3 at 43” Front and Back Aprons Top
- 2 – 1×3 at 19 1/4” Side Aprons Top
- 2 – 1×3 at 46” Lower Shelf Outside Front and Back Boards
- 2 – 1×3 at 16 3/4” Lower Shelf Sides
- 12 – 1×3 at 41” Lower and Top Shelf Center Boards (6 ea.)
- 2 – 1×2 at 19 7/8” Frame for Top
- 4 – 1×2 at 19 1/4” Side Aprons and Frame Bottom
- 2 – 1×2 at 43” Front and Back Aprons bottom
Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.
Build your Structure with Legs and Top Aprons : Begin with your Legs and fasten your front and back aprons in place set back from the inside edge of the legs by 3/8” and then do the same for the Side Aprons, use your Kreg Jig® set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue . The Front, Back and Side Aprons should all be roughly centered on your legs (this accounts for the 3/8” set back I just mentioned). Then fasten your table frame supports in place, use your Kreg Jig® set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue.
Fasten the Lower Aprons and Frame in Place: You can do this precisely as you did in the Step above and use your use your Kreg Jig® set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue. This time however, the aprons will sit flush with the inside edges of the legs.
Construct the Lower Shelf: Using a jig saw, table saw, circular saw, or any other notch making capable tool to create a 1 1/4” deep by 1 1/2” wide notch in the outside 43” boards for this shelf. You will fasten the shelf boards together using your Kreg Jig® set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue, fasten the center boards 1/4” apart to allow for runoff and the elements.
Construct the Top: This will be generally the same as the lower shelf except your outside bread boards are a larger board and you will not be making a notch! You will however want to use your Kreg Jig® set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue to fasten the boards together, making sure to separate the center boards by 1/4” just as in the previous step.
Fasten the Shelf and Top in Place: I would begin by fastening the lower shelf in place and would very likely use a finish nail gun to do this, attaching the lower shelf centered on the aprons and frame and by fastening the shelf to each apron and frame support along the way. I would then move right along to the top and do this in the same manner. Be sure to center it on the sides and front and back and attach to each leg, apron, and support along the way!
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School
**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.
