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How to Build a Coffee Table on Casters

Instead of buying a coffee table that only kind of fits your needs and space, create your own that is a perfect match. We'll show you how to make your own two-tier coffee table on swivel casters, giving you a fashionable item of furniture that provides plenty of space for magazines, snack trays, and other items.

Steps
6
Difficulty
Easy
Time Required
1Day
Estimated Cost
$$$
Two-tier coffee table with living room furniture behind it

What You Need for This Project

Tools

Yellow Dewalt cordless drill

Drill
A set of titanium drill bits of various sizes

Drill Bits
Three silver wrenches

Wrench
Blue and yellow lineman pliers

Pliers
Dust mask

Dust Mask
Safety Glasses

Safety Goggles
Paint brush with browny-yellow bristles

Paint Brush

Materials

Pine board

(2) 24 in. x 35 1/2 in. Pine Boards
Pine table leg

(4) Table Legs
Silver table leg plate

(4) Straight Leg Plates
Swivel caster

(2) 3 in. Swivel Casters
Swivel caster with brake

(2) 3 in. Swivel Casters with Locks
Carriage bolt

(16) 5/16 in. x 1 1/4 in. Carriage Bolts
Silver hanger bolt

(4) 5/16 in. x 3 in. Hanger Bolts
Zinc-plated hex nut

(16) 5/16 in. Zinc Hex Nuts
Silver fender washer

(16) 5/16 in. x 1/4 in. Fender Washers
Silver lock washer

Lock Washers
Can of Sherwin Williams interior eggshell paint

Paint or Stain

Putting the Coffee Table Together

STEP ONE

Drill & Insert Hanger Bolts

Drill pilot holes into the leg ends without existing bolts. The hole size should be slightly smaller than the hanger bolt diameter and deep enough to leave 1 1/4 in.

 

  • Option 1: Hold the middle area that is unthreaded with vise-grip pliers, and tighten the nut with a wrench.
  • Option 2: Put one nut onto the hanger bolt that covers at least six threads, and add a second nut tightened right up against the first. Use a wrench on the second nut to tighten the bolt onto the legs so the hanger bolt goes into the leg as far as needed, then back up the wrench and remove both nuts.

    •  

    Person drilling holes into a corner of wood
    STEP TWO

    Attach Plates to Tabletop

    Attach flat-top mounting plates to the tabletop, using a drill to drive in screws.

    Person drilling a table top onto legs
    STEP THREE

    Align the Top with the Shelf & Legs

    Position the top with attached legs on top of the bottom shelf so that all bottom shelf edges are in the same place. Make sure the shelf is aligned with the top.

    Person attaching table leg to a table top
    STEP FOUR

    Drill Holes on Bottom Shelf

    Mark where the hanger bolt ends sit on the bottom shelf, and drill holes through the bottom shelf on these marks. Use a drill bit that's the same diameter as the hanger bolts.

    Person drilling into table top by the side panel
    STEP FIVE

    Attach the Bottom Shelf

    Turn the tabletop, with the legs attached, upside down. Attach the bottom shelf with hanger bolts by using the pilot holes you drilled in Step 1. Place fender washers, lock washers, and nuts onto the hanger bolts. Tighten the nuts.

    Clamps holding table leg in place
    STEP SIX

    Paint & Finish

    Paint the coffee table in the colour and style you chose. Make sure the paint dries completely before attaching casters to the bottom shelf, and enjoy your new project.

    Person painting a piece of wood

    How To Terms

    Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes, and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors, or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures.
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