Lift Coffee Table #1: It starts with a plan...

I have a server in my basement hooked-up to the television, and a wireless keyboard and mouse I use on a coffee table when I need to access it directly. I get tired of looking at the PC bits sitting on the table and leaning-over to use them, so I’ve decided to build a lift coffee table to hide the parts and bring them closer to me when I need them. I took the following design from a book I have, but modified it for a different lifting mechanism and some general dimension changes (along with adjusting for the fact that 3/4” ply is actually 23/32”).

The table is made from 3/4” (23/32”) oak ply, with 3/4” oak for the side panel rails and stiles and 1 1/4” oak for the table lid banding. The legs are 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” oak and the panels are 1/4” oak beadboard. The picture below shows a mortise and tenon setup attached to the legs, but I will likely go with pocket screws for the majority of the construction with the top edge banding attached with biscuits.

Lee Valley has the lift I’ll be using:

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40573&cat=3,43586,43594

I’m not totally sold on the beadboard panels yet, and would be interested in hearing any opinions on what might go well with the oak. Maybe some veneer on a 1/4” panel?

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