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This is a clever small-space table: a narrow storage cart with two open shelves that lives against a wall, then flips up two hinged leaves to become a round dining or game table. On casters, it rolls out and expands in seconds.
The base is straightforward 2x2-leg-and-shelf casework with pocket holes. The trick is the drop-in tip about pocket-hole direction: drill the top-apron pocket holes facing upward before assembly so you can grab the tabletop from underneath later. Hide the rest of the pocket holes to the insides.
The round top is made by building a rectangular center panel, hinging the two leaves to it so it becomes a big square when open, then drawing an arc across the whole thing and cutting the circle with a jigsaw — so the curve flows continuously across the seams. Two small warnings from the build: caster bolts can collide with the pocket screws in the bottom shelf trim, so plate-mount casters are safer than bolt-through ones, and buy proper drop-leaf support hardware (the 8" pairs) — they're not rock-solid but they install in seconds and are plenty sturdy for a table like this.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 2x2 board, 8 ftLegs. | 2 each |
| 1x4 board, 8 ftAprons. | 1 each |
| 1x3 board, 8 ftShelf trim. | 2 each |
| 1x12 board, 8 ftTabletop and leaves. | 2 each |
| 3/4" plywood, half sheetShelves. | 1 each |
| Basic hingesHinge the two leaves to the center panel. | 2 pair |
| 8" drop-leaf supports | 2 pair |
| 2" caster wheelsPlate-mount, not bolt-through — the bolts can hit the shelf-trim pocket screws. | 4 each |
| Pocket-hole screws, 1-1/4" | 50 each |
| Wood glue | 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Legs2x2 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 26 1/4" |
| End aprons1x4 | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 15 3/4" |
| End trim1x3 | 4 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 15 3/4" |
| Shelves3/4" plywood | 2 | 3/4" × 15 3/4" × 28" |
| Side aprons1x4 | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 28" |
| Side trim1x3 | 4 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 28" |
| Tabletop and leaves1x12Two planks form the center panel, one plank each leaf. | 4 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 42" |
Buy 8 boards at 8 ft.
2 boards
1 board
2 boards
1 board
2 boards
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 →
Build the two end assemblies, keeping insides flush and hiding the 3/4" pocket holes to the insides, joined with 1-1/4" pocket screws and glue. Drill 3/4" pocket holes facing upward on the insides of the top aprons now, for grabbing the tabletop later.
Drill 3/4" pocket holes all around both shelves and attach them to the legs per the layout.
Add the side trim with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" screws, fastening the shelves to the corresponding trim as well. Remember to drill upward-facing pocket holes in the top aprons before you attach them, for the tabletop.
Build the center tabletop panel with a row of pocket holes down the center and glue. Hinge the two leaves to it so the whole thing opens into a big square. Draw an arc across the entire assembly, open, and cut the circle with a jigsaw so the curve flows across the leaf seams. Attach the center panel to the base through the upward pocket holes.
Add the four casters to the bottom — use plate-mount ones so their fasteners don't collide with the bottom-shelf trim pocket screws. Install the 8" drop-leaf supports under each leaf so it locks level when raised. Sand and finish.
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