Mom's Train Table

Screw the box sides together with 2" screws and glue. Measure both diagonals — one will be longer. Gently push those two opposite corners together to shorten that diagonal until both measurements match; that's how you square up any rectangular frame.

Lay one of the plywood or MDF strips on top of the box and screw down with 1-1/4" screws. Predrill every hole and use glue.

Screw the side legs to the short ends of the box with 1-1/4" screws and glue, keeping them flush to the sides and top.

Screw the front/back legs to the end legs and the box sides with 1-1/4" screws and glue.

With help, or with the table turned on its side, attach the bottom shelf supports and shelf. Cutting small spacer blocks and screwing them to the inside of the legs first, flush with the leg bottoms, gives the shelf something to rest on while you predrill and screw it down — the spacers can stay in place afterward.

Attach the side and end trim pieces to the box with nails and glue, or screws if you don't have a nail gun.

Lay out the tabletop insert pieces on top of the box and trim around them so they have a snug but removable fit — the top trim attaches to the legs and side trim, not directly to the box top.

Sand the tabletop inserts to get a nice snug fit within the trim. Drill a small finger-hole in the center of each insert so they can be lifted back out easily. Fill nail holes, sand every surface, and finish.