NotchLoading plan…
Loading plan…
Use your browser's Print (Ctrl/Cmd + P) and choose Save as PDF. This page works offline once you've opened it with a signal.
A 4x4-leg coffee table with a notched plywood bottom shelf and a 2x6 slat top on casters — a mix of stock sizes that all lands on the same rolling base.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | 4 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 13 1/2" | Pine | ☐ |
| Short aprons | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 17" | Pine | ☐ |
| Long aprons | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 41" | Pine | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf supports, short | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 21 1/2" | Pine | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf support, center | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 21 1/2" | Pine | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf supports, long | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 41" | Pine | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf T-piece legs | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 8 1/2" | Pine | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf T-piece cross | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 17" | Pine | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf Notch around the legs with a jigsaw — dry-fit before final attachment. | 1 | 1/2" × 24" × 48" | Plywood | ☐ |
| Under-tabletop support | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 20" | Pine | ☐ |
| Tabletop, main boards | 4 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 50" | Pine | ☐ |
| Tabletop spacers | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 50" | Pine | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Pine, 4x4, 6 ft | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x3, 12 ft total 2x3s work too if you can source them — actually slightly stronger. | 12 ft | ☐ |
| Pine, 2x2, 8 ft | 3 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 2x4, 8 ft | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 2x6, 9-10 ft | 2 each | ☐ |
| Plywood, 1/2", quarter sheet | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4" and 2-1/2" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Brad nails, 1" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Caster wheels | 4 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 4 oz | ☐ |
| Sandpaper, assorted grit | 4 sheet | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: Pine, 4x4, 6 ft, Pine, 1x3, 12 ft total
Attach the aprons to the four legs. For 1x boards, use 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. For 2x boards (if substituting 2x3s), use 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket hole screws.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x2, 8 ft
Attach the bottom shelf supports, which will carry the plywood bottom shelf. Pocket hole screws work best here — use the 3/4" jig setting if you're screwing into 1x material. If you're using 3/4" plywood for the bottom shelf, you can skip the 2x2 supports entirely.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x4, 8 ft
Build the T-shaped support pieces first, then attach them to the legs and bottom shelf frame.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Jigsaw. Materials: Plywood, 1/2", quarter sheet
Notch the corners of the bottom shelf with a jigsaw to fit around the legs — dry-fit before committing, since a shelf cut too tight will bind and refuse to seat flush. Attach to the bottom supports with finish nails and glue.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 2x2, 8 ft, Pine, 2x6, 9-10 ft
Instead of a solid 2x4 down the center, use two 2x2 spacers between the 2x6 boards for a more visually balanced look. Build the tabletop as its own flat assembly with 1-1/2" pocket holes, 2-1/2" pocket hole screws, and wood glue.
Attach the assembled top down through the aprons and the center under-tabletop support with 2-1/2" screws — pocket hole screws work fine here too, so there's no need to buy a special fastener just for this step.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Caster wheels, Sandpaper, assorted grit
Attach caster wheels to the bottom of the legs. Sand every surface and finish.