Looking for a stunning coffee table project that’s both beautiful and budget-friendly? Jamison from Rogue Engineer has created a fantastic guide to building a 46-inch round coffee table using just one sheet of walnut plywood. This project is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their living space with a touch of elegance.
Materials and Tools Needed:
- 1 sheet of 3/4″ walnut veneered plywood
- Wood glue
- Pin nails
- Spiral up cut router bit
- Pocket hole screws
- Edge banding
- Drill
- Router
- Table saw
- Miter saw
- Wood finish (natural furniture wax paste)
Step 1: Create the Circle Cutting Jig
To get started, Jamison made a circle cutting jig for his router. This jig is essential for achieving a perfectly round tabletop. He mounted his router to a piece of wood and measured 23 inches from the bit out, as the final tabletop will be 46 inches in diameter. Using a spiral up cut bit, he fastened the center of the jig to the desired location on the plywood and routed around the circle to create the tabletop.
Step 2: Cut the Base Strips
After cutting out the circle, he trimmed the edges to leave some material for the base. He then headed to the table saw and cut nine strips, each 3.5 inches wide, for the base. Additionally, he cut two strips at 1.5 inches wide and mitered them at a 7.5-degree angle to add thickness to the tabletop.
Step 3: Assemble the Base
Jamison intentionally left the pieces a bit long to allow for edge banding later. He positioned the base pieces to create a faux half lap joint, applying wood glue and securing everything with pin nails to hold it in place while the glue dried.
Step 4: Add Thickness to the Top
To give the top a beefier look, he glued and tacked the previously cut strips around the base of the top, ensuring they were flush with the outer edges. Once everything was in place, he used a pattern bit on the router to trim off any excess material.
Step 5: Edge Banding
Next, Jamison applied edge banding to the base and the legs, which not only improved the appearance but also matched the veneer of the tabletop. After edge banding, he used a pattern bit to flush up the added pieces to ensure a seamless finish.
Step 6: Assemble the Legs and Top
With the base complete, he drilled pocket holes in the bottom pieces to attach the legs securely. Using two-and-a-half-inch wood screws for the legs and inch-and-a-quarter pocket screws for the top, he assembled the entire table.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
For the finish, Jamison chose a natural furniture wax paste to let the wood’s beauty shine through. This gave the coffee table a lovely matte look while providing protection for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Jamison’s round walnut coffee table is a remarkable project that combines elegance with functionality. With just one sheet of plywood and some basic tools, anyone can create a stunning centerpiece for their living room. For detailed plans and additional tips, be sure to check out his website!