Make a Coffee or Side Table with PVC Pipe
Pop into Builders and buy a couple of lengths of PVC to make a coffee table or side table for the living room.
11/10/2022
There are so many crafty decor and furniture ideas out there on the net that it is hard to keep up with them all. DIY has gone to new levels as women realise that it isn't all that difficult to do-it-yourself and have fun at the same time. And it makes matters so much easier that power tool manufacturers have gone all out for cordless, lightweight power tools that women can use without much effort. It is also a great way to make affordable decor accessories and furniture for the home for very little cost and you will find almost everything you need under one roof at Builders. You can even have it delivered to your door!
This modern coffee table or side table is a good idea of how easy DIY can be and you only need 2 power tools and some supplies to make one for yourself. If you are a beginner, this is a good project to get started with to build up confidence in using a jigsaw and sander. Everything else you need can be purchased at Builders.
YOU WILL NEED:
Piece of laminated pine or SupaWood
3 lengths of 110mm PVC pipe
Construction adhesive and caulking gun
Pattex No More Nails adhesive
120-grit sandpaper
Paint and supplies
TOOLS:
Jigsaw plus rough-cut and smooth-cut jigsaw blades
Sander plus 120-grit sandpaper
Tape measure and pencil
Safety gear
HERE'S HOW:
Step 1
Decide on the height for your coffee table or side table. The height should be relative to that of your sofa or lounge suite. The height of the table will determine the length that you need to cut to legs or PVC pipe.
GOOD TO KNOW:
Use a Tenon Saw or Backsaw (saw with a solid back strap along the top) to cut the PVC pipe to length. You can also do this step with a jigsaw but do be careful. Clamp the pipe firmly to a workbench and firmly hold the jigsaw as the cut, turn, and cut the pipe all the way around.
Step 2
Use a circular template to draw the curved ends for the top of the coffee table or side table and then draw straight lines from the ends to create the sides. This top can be as long or as wide as you need it to be.
Step 3
Using a jigsaw and rough-cut blade (jigsaw blade with large teeth), go around the drawn shape to remove excess wood and this will give you better access and mobility to cut carefully along the drawn lines with a clean-cut blade (jigsaw blade with small teeth).
GOOD TO KNOW:
When selecting the right blades for a jigsaw, consider what you want to cut. A jigsaw blade with large teeth will give a rough cut and is meant for ripping larger pieces down. A jigsaw blade with small teeth will provide edges that are clean and rip-free. The jigsaw blade with the smallest teeth is the one used for cutting mild steel and aluminium.
Step 4
Use a sander or 120-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface of the top and clean up the cut edges. If you are using SupaWood for the top, also sand with 240-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish that is better to paint on.
Step 5
Apply acrylic paint to the top and edges of the table using a paintbrush and paint roller. You will need to apply 2 to 3 coats with sufficient drying time between coats. Choose an acrylic paint that is washable so it will be easy to wipe the table clean.
Step 6
Arrange the cut PVC pipe legs as shown below - 2 sets - and wrap them tightly with string to hold them together.
Step 7
Squeeze construction adhesive through the gaps at the top and bottom of the PVC pipes to hold everything together. Leave overnight to cure.
Step 8
Remove the string and sand the tops of the pipes smooth and even with 120-grit sandpaper.
Step 9
Paint the PVC pipes with acrylic paint and leave to dry.
Step 10
Apply Pattex No More Nails adhesive to the tops of both sets of pipes.
Step 11
Place the assembled legs upside down on the underside of the tabletop, press down and leave overnight.
GOOD TO KNOW:
Place a scrap piece of wood over the pipes and place a heavy object on this to weigh it down while the adhesive cures.
Step 12
Use your finger to smooth the adhesive around the joined areas and remove any excess.
And that's it... your modern coffee table or side table is ready for use!
Watch the video below for a more in depth look at the various steps involved in making the coffee table or side table.