Build a Modular Coffee Table

Place the lower rail section on your shop table. Using glue and finish nails (through the legs into the rails), attach each of the five table legs to the lower rail as shown in the free woodworking plans you downloaded in step 1. Use a Layout Square to verify that each leg is square to the base.

Next, place a thin layer of glue on the tops of the rails and place the bottom shelf of the table into the assembly. Glue should hold the bottom shelf in place with no mechanical fasteners needed.

If you're using the optional middle shelf, place this on top of the bottom shelf at this point. We can re-position it after the assembly is complete.

Attach the top rail assembly to the legs using the same procedure you used for the bottom of the legs. Once again, check each leg for square and attach using glue and finish nails. Finally, attach the table top using some glue. A few small right-angle brackets with very short screws to hold the table top in place might be a good idea. However, clamping the top in position to allow the glue to dry would probably be sufficient, as the table's design doesn't allow the entire table to be picked up by lifting on the table top.

Once all of the glue has cured, drill a hole in each leg at the desired height for shelf pins to hold the optional center shelf. Then, remove all sawdust and apply your desired finish. If using paint, be sure to prime the wood before painting. If stain is your preferred method, apply a few coats of polyurethane after the stain has dried.

Once the finish is complete, turn the unit upside down and attach a 1-1/2" swivel caster with four short screws to each of the six corners of each table.

Turn the unit over, insert the beveled glass and put your new modular coffee table to good use.