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I continue my trend of having not made any furniture for myself, with this beautiful oak under-couch snack table made for my parents. My parents have a small living room with no real place for a endtable, so this will have to suffice to hold their drinks and snacks while they watch the Steelers.

The whole table is made from a 4' 1×12 piece of Red Oak from the Home Depot. There was some scrap left over, but I wanted to maximize the use of the wood, so I actually drew out a cut list, which was real helpful. I used a wide piece as to minimize the time spent on glue ups for the top and bottom. Most of the screws used to hold this thing together were hidden on the bottom, or under the table top. I could not think of an ingenious way to hide the screws to hold the table top down, so they are exposed. The screws to hold the 45 degree pieces to the sides are hidden with plugs, as you can see in the picture. The top of this table is 23.5" high, which seemed to be the best height for their couch. I used my recently refurbised 60 1/2 block plane to "round over" the corners of the top and bottom, which gives it a "homemade feel". I love that block plane. The project is finished in Minwax Dark Walnut Oil Stain with 5 coats of GF Arm-R-Seal on top of that. I used 0000 steel wool between each coat to keep it nice and flat. I constructed this in one evening and finished over the course of a weekend.

They seem happy with it. The Amish furniture store wanted $90 for a very similar table. I went and checked it out and said "I can make that!", and I made this for just under $30 plus some sweat equity.

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Your parents will like it much better since you made it. Good looking stand.
 

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Way to go Ryan
 

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this is awesome, i think i might put this on my list of projects this winter
 

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Man that's a great table will be looking for next project keep up good work
 

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Wow, nice simple and utilitarian! This design would also work well as a plant stand, while keeping the floor space clear. I like it! A lot!
 

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Thanks again guys. Mike - That is a good idea about the plant stand. Could be used for anything where you did not a whole "Square" space taken up. You could also make this higher for overtop of a sofa arm.

I'm sure there are better designs for this, as well, and my first prototype, made from pine, did not have the 45 degree braces, but it felt too flimsy. This is pretty solid. You can't see them, but there are 2 (approx.) 8" horizontal members pocket holed from the top (under the table top) into the 2 side members. This really stiffens them up.
 

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There seems to be some interest in this. If anyone wants my designs and cut list, it may take me a while to get back to you, but I do have them somewhere, send me a message.
 

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I was reviewing this and this is exactly what I was looking for. Can you send the directions to me. It would be greatly appreciated. Great job.
 
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