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Every joint in this table is a pocket screw, which makes it a good project for building real speed and confidence with a pocket hole jig before tackling something with mixed joinery. The one decision that actually matters is which face of each 2x2 gets the pocket holes — pick the least visible side, because the opposite face is what people see once the table's assembled and the holes don't fully disappear even with plugs.
The lower shelf's slat spacing is specified precisely (roughly 1-7/8" gaps) and worth actually measuring rather than eyeballing, since five slats with uneven gaps read as sloppy in a way a solid shelf wouldn't. Clamp the tabletop boards while the glue sets — pocket screws alone will pull the joint tight, but a clamp is what keeps the three boards perfectly flush across their tops while that happens.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Pine, 2x2, 8 ft | 4 each |
| Pine, 1x8, 6 ft | 1 each |
| Pocket hole screws, 2" | 1 box |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4" | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 2 oz |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Side/shelf slatsPineAdjust shorter if this looks too large for your space. | 13 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 18 1/2" |
| LegsPine | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 23 1/4" |
| Tabletop boardsPine | 3 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 22 1/4" |
Buy 5 boards at 8 ft.
4 boards
1 board
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Drill pocket holes at each end of the 2x2 x 18.5" pieces, then screw them to the 2x2 x 23.25" legs to form the two side frames.
Drill pocket holes in each end of the seven remaining 18.5" pieces. Choose the pocket-hole face carefully on each — the opposite face is the one that will be most visible once assembled. Using 2" pocket screws, screw the middle slat in place with its center matching the center of the outside pieces, then attach the remaining four slats (two per side), maintaining a 1-7/8" gap between each.
Drill pocket holes in each end of the two remaining 18.5" boards. Assemble the table base by attaching the shelf, the two side frames, and these final two boards together using 2" pocket screws.
Drill three pocket holes in two of the three tabletop boards, adjusting your jig for the 3/4" material thickness. Screw and glue the three boards together edge to edge using 1-1/4" pocket screws, clamping the joints as you go to keep the top perfectly flush.
Center the tabletop on the base and attach. Sand the whole table and finish as desired.
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