Our 2x4 outdoor sofas have been wonderful. I love them so much, I had to make a matching outdoor coffee table. This coffee table is just 2x4s, and all you’ll need to build it is a drill and a saw.
I prestained all of my 2x4 boards on sawhorses outside. I like to prestain outdoor projects especially if they are slatted, creating difficult to reach areas, and because I can stain all sides of every board, further protecting joints from the weather and moisture. This stain is a translucent penetrating deck/fence stain. It soaks into the wood for deep protection. To keep up with protection, you just have to reapply a coat about every 5 years. No sanding, stripping, just brush on over the existing coat.
All of the cuts in this project are simple square cuts. A compound miter saw is the fastest and easiest way to make cuts, but a circular saw with a square and clamps can be used as well.
Attach two legs to an apron, two 3” deck screws per joint.
Screw a breadboard end to the top of the leg set built in previous step, attaching to both legs and apron with 3” deck screws.
Build the table base with long aprons and remaining short aprons, attaching with 3” deck screws. Center middle support on long aprons.
Raise table support up off workbench on scrap 2x4 boards. Attach legs to end aprons with 3” deck screws. Use at least six screws per side.
Flip table over and lay remaining boards on top. Attach outside tabletop boards first, all edges flush on outsides.
Place remaining tabletop boards in table, spacing about ¾” apart.
Attach tabletop boards to supports with 3” deck screws. Do not overdrive screws. TIP: Attach in pattern for a more attractive tabletop.
Our 2x4 outdoor sofas have been wonderful. I love them so much, I had to make a matching outdoor coffee table. This coffee table is just 2x4s, and all you’ll need to build it is a drill and a saw.
I prestained all of my 2x4 boards on sawhorses outside. I like to prestain outdoor projects especially if they are slatted, creating difficult to reach areas, and because I can stain all sides of every board, further protecting joints from the weather and moisture. This stain is a translucent penetrating deck/fence stain. It soaks into the wood for deep protection. To keep up with protection, you just have to reapply a coat about every 5 years. No sanding, stripping, just brush on over the existing coat.
All of the cuts in this project are simple square cuts. A compound miter saw is the fastest and easiest way to make cuts, but a circular saw with a square and clamps can be used as well.
Attach two legs to an apron, two 3” deck screws per joint.
Screw a breadboard end to the top of the leg set built in previous step, attaching to both legs and apron with 3” deck screws.
Build the table base with long aprons and remaining short aprons, attaching with 3” deck screws. Center middle support on long aprons.
Raise table support up off workbench on scrap 2x4 boards. Attach legs to end aprons with 3” deck screws. Use at least six screws per side.
Flip table over and lay remaining boards on top. Attach outside tabletop boards first, all edges flush on outsides.
Place remaining tabletop boards in table, spacing about ¾” apart.
Attach tabletop boards to supports with 3” deck screws. Do not overdrive screws. TIP: Attach in pattern for a more attractive tabletop.
