How to Make a Modern Outdoor Coffee Table (4ft x 2ft)
Items needed:
- - Pressure treated wood (1-4x6x10, 2-2x12x10)
- - 4 inch paint roller
- - Paint pan
- - Small paint brush
- - Sandpaper (sander if available)
- - 1 lb of 3 inch exterior screws
- - Small container of spackling paste
- - Putty knife
- - Drill
- - Quart of exterior tinted primer/sealer (or stain prep sealer)
- - Quart of exterior high gloss black paint (or stain)
- - Measuring tape
- - Pen
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Measure 6 inches in from each edge of the bottom of the 2x12 | Place 4x6's on the floor for the tables legs | Place 2 of the 2x12's cut to 4 foot long on top of the legs | Leave a gap in between the 2x12's and screw them down onto the legs below |
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Place 3 pieces of the 6 inch 2x12's on the ground and place a 2x12 that is 4 foot long on top. Make sure there is a 6 inch piece at each end and one centered in the middle then screw through the 2x12 down into the 6 inch pieces to attach them. Do this to both of the remaining 2x12's | Lay the 2x12's with the 6 inch pieces attached upside down so that the 6 inch pieces are sticking up in the air. Flip the base portion of the table upside down and lay on top of the 6 inch pieces and screw them down. | Flip the whole table upright. | Fill all knots and cracks and nail holes with wood filler, then paint black. |
1. Purchase pressure treated wood at your local home improvement/hardware store. Have someone help you pick out wood that is not damaged or warped. Also, have this person measure the width of each 2x12x10 because not all are exactly 12 inches wide and you want to be sure that each of the two pieces you select are the same width. For example, the pieces used in this project were only 11 ½ inches wide.
2. Some stores will help you cut the wood so you do not need a saw to do this project. Ask for the following cuts from your wood: from each piece of the 2x12x10s, cut 3 pieces 6 inches long, 2 pieces 4 feet long, creating a total of 6 pieces 6 inches long and 4 pieces 4 feet long; from the 4x6x10 you will need two pieces 23 ½ inches long (or 1 ft, 11 ½ inches long) Keep any leftover pieces of wood, you may need these for future projects!
3. Create the table's base: Place the two 4x6 pieces on the floor. Mark two 4 foot pieces of 2x12 using a measuring tape, 6 inches in from each end. This will ensure that your 4x6 legs will be 6 inches in from the end of your table. Use something you have at home to mark approximately ½ inch between the length of the two pieces of 2x12s to make sure they are equal distance apart along the entire length of your table. Place the 4x6s ends at the pen marks.
4. Drive at least 4 screws into each 2x12 to attach them to the 4x6 table legs. It is important to screw these into the wood far enough that the screw heads can no longer be felt on the surface of the wood. All screw holes will be filled later with the spackling paste.
5. Create the table's top: the two remaining 2x12s must be screwed into 3 - 6 inch pieces of 2x12 each. Two on each end and one in the middle of each. Be sure to mark the middle of each board with your measuring tape.
6. Now turn these two pieces of 2x12s with 6 inch pieces attached over, flat surface down. Mark with the same object you used in step 3 to be sure there is equal distance between the boards along the length of the table.
7. Place the section you created in steps 3 and 4 (table base) flat surface down on top of the 6 inch pieces of 2x12s. You now need to screw the base into the top of the table.
8. Now simply turn the table over to see the overall shape.
9. Fill all screw holes and any large knots that may be in the wood with the spackling paste. Allow to dry according to manufacturer's instructions.
10. Once paste is dry, sand until smooth to touch and wipe any sanding dust off of the table in preparation for painting.
11. Before painting, be sure the wood is dry! Paint exterior primer onto table, use small paint brush for corners and crevices and roller for large areas. Allow primer to dry according to manufacturer's instructions. Wash out the paint brush and roller for reuse.
12. Once the primer is dry, you can paint the top coat with the exterior, high gloss black paint.
* Now use a DIY centerpiece project you like to add decorative interest to your table! Place your table in your outdoor space and enjoy! (This table is sturdy enough to be used as alternative outdoor seating)
