Make a Games Table
When the weather is wet and you're looking for some fun - this games table will entertain the entire family.
24/10/2018
You can fit a lot of games into this games table, and it's perfect for when you're having friends round to play, when the kids need to be kept occupied, or when the weather is miserable and there's nothing to do!
This multi-purpose games table can fit a lot of games into the storage compartment and it features a chess or draughts board and a backgammon board. The shelf underneath the unit is perfect for storing all your board games.
Fun for the whole family... Pack all your board games into the storage compartment and on the shelf and get ready for fun!
YOU WILL NEED:
4 of 63 x 63 x 387mm pine - leg
4 of 19 x 140 x 533mm pine - rail
2 of 19 x 140 x 432mm pine - short top
2 of 19 x 140 x 710mm pine - long top
2 of 19 x 19 x 432mm square dowel - cleat spacer
2 of 12 x 38 x 432mm pine - cleat
1 of 19 x 610 x 610mm plywood - bottom
1 of 19 x 610 x 610mm plywood - shelf
1 of 19 x 406 x 406mm plywood - game board
2 of 12 x 38 x 406mm pine - short edging
2 of 12 x 38 x 432mm pine - long edging
1 of 12 x 12 x 406mm furring strip - centre bar
32mm coarse-thread pocket hole screws
30mm panel pins
Wood glue
Sealer or varnish to finish plus paintbrush
TOOLS:
Drill / Driver plus assorted bits
Kreg Pocket Hole Jig
Clamps
Hammer
Jigsaw plus clean-cut blade
Orbital Sander plus 120- and 240-grit sanding pads
Tape measure and pencil
HERE' S HOW:
1. Set up your pocket hole jig for 19mm thick material. Drill pocket holes at both ends of each Rail as shown above. Sand smooth.
2. Assemble the table base by first placing [1] Rail between [2] Legs - see below. The Rails are inset 6mm from the outside face of the Legs. Attach using wood glue and 32mm screws. Repeat for the other Rail and then bring the two sections together, as shown below.
GOOD TO KNOW: Use a 6mm spacer to help hold the Rail in position as you attach the Rail to the Legs
3. Cut a notch in one of the Short Top pieces, as shown below. Drill pocket holes at the locations below. Sand the surfaces and edges smooth.
GOOD TO KNOW: The notch in the Short Top will allow you to insert a finger and remove the game boards and flip them.
4. Assemble the top by placing the Short Top and Long Top boards as shown below. Secure with wood glue and 32mm screws. After assembly, sand smooth.
GOOD TO KNOW: Click here a video on creating strong joints.
5. The game boards rest on a pair of cleats that are attached to the underside of the table top. To make the cleats cut [2] Spacers to length from a 19mm furring strip. Now cut [2] Cleats to the same length from a 12 x 50mm offcut. See diagram below.
GOOD TO KNOW: Note that you might only be able to obtain 22mm strips, but you can use these.
6. Join the Spacers and Cleats with wood glue and panel pins - or a pneumatic nailer (if you have one).Sand the Spacers and Cleats, if needed. Spread glue on one edge of each spacer, clamp it to the underside of the top, as shown, and drive in the nails to secure it. Add glue to the exposed edge of the Spacer, and then clamp the Cleat in position and nail it on. Do this for both sides.
GOOD TO KNOW: To prevent any splitting, use a 2mm bit to drill evenly spaced and centred pilot holes in each piece.
7. On the Bottom panel and Shelf panel cut the [4] corner notches with a jigsaw. Drill pocket holes as shown below.
8. In the Bottom panel, drill [4] additional pocket holes centred on each long edge - see above. These allow you to attach the Bottom at the centre of each Rail for added strength. Sand smooth.
GOOD TO KNOW: Before finishing the assembly, now is a good time to paint, stain or varnish the table base and the top.
9. After applying the finish and letting this dry, lay the Table Top face down - with the cleats facing up - and position the table base over this. Allow an equal overhang on all sides. Secure the sections together with 32mm screws.
10. While the table is still upside down, insert the Bottom panel flush with the bottom edges of the Rails. Secure in place with 32mm screws. Now you can add , as shown. Secure it using 1 1/4" coarse-thread Kreg Screws. Next, position the shelf as located in the diagram below and secure to the legs with screws.
11. Sand the game board smooth before making and painting on your choice of design.
12. Sand the Edging and Centre Bar and finish to match your table. Spread glue on the two edges of the Game Board that will receive the Short Edging, and then glue and nail them in place with panel pins or a pneumatic nail gun. Repeat for the remaining two edges. Align all the pieces and then glue and nail the Long Edges in place.
