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A round-top accent table on a splayed X-base of 2x2s, tied by two crossed stretchers top and bottom. The 5° bevels make the legs lean out — the fussy but rewarding part.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top X short arms One end cut at 5° off square, to long point. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 13 7/8" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Top X long member Both ends cut at 5° off square, long point to long point. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 29 3/16" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Legs | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 29 1/8" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Bottom X short arms One end cut at 5° off square, to long point. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 15 3/4" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Bottom X long member Both ends cut at 5° off square, long point to long point. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 33" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Aprons Both ends cut at 45°, perpendicular to each other. | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 20 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Round tabletop 36 in, or 3/4 in MDF/plywood for a 36 in circle | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x2, 8 ft Legs and both X-stretchers. | 3 each | ☐ |
| 1x4, 8 ft Aprons. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 3 in, or pocket screws 2 in | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 1 bottle | ☐ |
| Finish | 1 quart | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Miter Saw, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x2, 8 ft, Wood screws, 3 in, or pocket screws 2 in, Wood glue
Cut all the boards as directed, and lay them out so the bevel cuts all taper downward. Mark the center of the long board (13-7/8" from the outsides), then screw the two short arms to the long board. Pocket screws are ideal; without a jig, drive screws at an angle to join the shorter boards to the long one.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Level. Materials: 2x2, 8 ft, Wood screws, 3 in, or pocket screws 2 in, Wood glue
Attach the four legs to the top X so that each leg leans outward. The 5° bevels on the X are what let the legs splay — check that all four lean the same amount so the base is symmetric.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Miter Saw. Materials: 2x2, 8 ft, Wood screws, 3 in, or pocket screws 2 in, Wood glue
Build the bottom X exactly as you built the top X. Mark all four legs 6" from their ends, then attach the bottom X to the legs at those marks. The lower stretcher braces the splayed legs and keeps the base rigid.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set. Materials: 1x4, 8 ft, Wood screws, 3 in, or pocket screws 2 in, Wood glue
This is the part that trips people up. Line up the inside corners of the aprons and attach them to the legs and top X — glue and nail (a brad nailer helps a lot here) or predrill and screw them to the top X. The key: the aprons stay perpendicular to the ground, they do NOT follow the line of the leaning legs. Accept that and they go on cleanly.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Jigsaw, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Round tabletop 36 in, or 3/4 in MDF/plywood for a 36 in circle, Finish
Center the round top on the base and attach it — through the aprons or the top X from underneath. If you cut your own top from MDF or plywood, cut the 36" circle with a jigsaw and sand the edge smooth first. Sand the base and finish.