3-in-1 table that is a TV tray, a laptop stand, or a coffee table
Made from 16mm marine plywood (with meranti veneer) this 3-in-1 table is quick and easy to make if you have all your boards cut to size and assemble using a biscuit joiner.
You have the option to set the stand upright for tea indoors or outdoors, or on it’s side to serve as a coffee table.
Use it as a laptop stand or desk that allows you to work comfortably indoors or out. Get comfy in front of the TV and use as a TV tray. The shelf can be used to store condiments, cutlery, papers or media accessories.
YOU WILL NEED:
1 of 400 x 716mm 16mm marine plywood –
upright stand
1 of 400 x 400mm 16mm marine plywood – top
tray
2 of 384 x 400mm 16mm marine plywood – shelf
/ base
1 of 100 x 400mm 16mm marine plywood – top
support
1 of 100 x 100mm 16mm marine plywood – cut
for corner supports
Choice of stain, sealer or varnish and
equipment
TOOLS:
Biscuit joiner and #20 biscuits
Ponal wood glue
Rubber mallet
Orbital sander plus 240-grit sanding pads
Tape measure and pencil
HERE'S HOW:
I had some leftover 16mm marine plywood left over from my storage coffee table project and cut this into individual sections using a Bosch PKS 16 multi saw. You can arrange to have 16mm marine plywood cut to size at your local timber merchant.
1. Use a biscuit joiner to cut out the slots in the top and shelf, as well as the top support. The top section slots onto the upright stand at one end and also onto the front support at the other end.
2. Also cut slots in the end of the shelf to allow for mounting onto the upright stand, as well as on the top of the other end for mounting onto the front support to create the shelf assembly.
GOOD TO KNOW
Use Ponal wood glue when joining with
biscuits. The runny consistency is easily
absorbed by the biscuits, allowing these to
swell and form a strong joint.
3. Leave the glue to dry for a couple of hours and then use the completed shelf assembly to mark on the upright stand where to cut slots for mounting the shelf onto the stand.
4. Place the biscuit joiner vertically to cut the slots in the upright stand.
5. Squeeze plenty of glue into the slots and insert biscuits in one side. Position the shelf assembly over the upright stand and slide in place. Tap with a rubber mallet if necessary to ensure the pieces fit tightly together.
6. Use the biscuit joiner to cut slots in the base and bottom of the upright stand, as well as in the corner supports. When cutting slots in 16mm you will see that the slots are not in the middle of the board, since biscuit joiners are also used on wood that is 20mm thick. Make sure that you hold at the right position for the cut slots to line up.
7. Use glue in the slots, insert the biscuits and position the corner supports on the upright stand and then join the base onto this. Let the glue dry overnight.
8. Sand the entire project before finishing.
You have the option to use interior or exterior sealer or varnish. The marine plywood used for this project has a meranti veneer, which goes more of a pink tint rather than yellow once the sealer is applied.
To make the table more mobile you can add caster wheels to the base. However, subtract the additional height of the wheels from the length of the upright stand so that the table is not too high.
