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This is a compact two-shelf side table with a ladder-like lean: the front legs rake forward and the back legs rake back, so the whole piece splays for a light, modern footprint. As the source title admits, it's 'super easy but a little tricky' — the joinery is all butt joints and screws, but the two different leg angles are what you have to get right.
The legs carry two angle cuts each, ends parallel: the back legs at 5° off square, the front legs at a steeper 20°. Parallel-end cuts matter — both ends of a leg tilt the same way, so the leg leans without twisting. Cut them carefully with a miter saw and keep the pairs matched.
The shelves are built as little sub-assemblies first: a frame of 1x2 supports, then 1x3 shelf boards screwed down onto the supports from underneath. Build the top and bottom shelves separately, then attach them to the angled legs. Because everything leans, dry-fit and check with a level before you commit the last screws — it's easy for a splayed piece to end up sitting cockeyed if one leg angle is off. Fill, sand, and finish. It's small and cheap enough to be a good practice piece for angled work.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x3, 8 ftShelf boards and legs. | 2 each |
| 1x2, 8 ftShelf supports. | 1 each |
| Wood screws, 2 in | 1 box |
| Wood screws, 1-1/4 in | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 1 bottle |
| Wood filler | 1 each |
| Finish | 1 quart |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Top/bottom shelf supports (long)1x2 | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 10 1/2" |
| Top shelf supports (short)1x2 | 3 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 5" |
| Bottom shelf supports (short)1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 9" |
| Top shelf boards1x3 | 3 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 14" |
| Bottom shelf boards1x3 | 5 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 10 1/2" |
| Back legs1x3Ends cut at 5° off square, ends parallel. | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 21" |
| Front legs1x3Ends cut at 20° off square, ends parallel. | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 22 1/4" |
Buy 4 boards at 8 ft.
3 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 →
Build the top shelf support frame from the 10-1/2" and 5" 1x2 pieces, screwing them together with 2" screws and glue. This is the little frame the top shelf boards will land on.
Fasten the three 14" 1x3 shelf boards down onto the support frame, screwing up through the supports into the underside of the boards with 2" screws and glue. Driving from below keeps the shelf top clean of screw heads.
Assemble the bottom shelf support frame the same way, from the 10-1/2" and 9" 1x2 pieces, with glue and 2" screws. The bottom shelf is a touch different in proportion because the legs are wider apart at the base.
Fasten the five 10-1/2" 1x3 boards down onto the bottom support frame, again screwing up through the supports into the underside of the boards with 2" screws and glue.
Cut the back legs with 5° parallel-end angles and the front legs with 20° parallel-end angles — parallel ends are what let each leg lean without twisting. Attach the shelves to the legs with 1-1/4" screws and glue.
Because the whole table splays, dry-fit and check it with a level before the last screws go in; a single off leg angle will leave it sitting cockeyed. Fill holes, sand, and finish.
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