ROUND TABLE WITH SECRET COMPARTMENT

Wifey asked for a table next to the La-Z-Boy. The one we had there was too small and it didn't have a drawer. We discussed it and agreed on this design.

This Instructable jumps around from element to element and doesn't accurately follow the steps I used to build it. I broke it down this way for an easier explanation of how it all went together. If you have any questions, just ask away.

For as long as I can remember I've been able to picture a completed project in my mind before I started; thus, I work from a very loose sketch. No drafting detailed plans. No Sketchup.

The supplies used were few. Four legs from Lowe's. A beautiful walnut board I got from a neighbor who was closing his woodworking shop. Some 1/2" plywood and 1/4" plywood I had in my lumber cart. The only other stuff I used: dark walnut stain and poly.

The legs I used matched the legs on the console table I built. They were too long so I cut them down and reassembled them.

Console Table

I ripped out strips from the walnut board, squared up the edges, glued them together, cut out a template from 1/2" ply, and used a pattern bit to make the circular top.

I cut two circles out of 1/2" plywood smaller than the diameter of the tabletop. The flush trim bit was used to make them exactly the same. I notched where each leg would go using the cut-offs leftover from making the legs shorter since they were the same dimensions as the reassembled legs. I glued and nailed one circle to the bottom of the table.

TIP: Glue spreader is an old credit card trimmed with Wifey's pinking shears.

I determined the width and depth and height of the drawer by measuring the table leg and attached the dividers and second circle accordingly.

The top of each leg had an attachment screw. Using a cut off piece as a guide I punched a hole in the bottom of the tabletop and drilled a hole to accommodate this screw, stained the legs dark walnut, and secured each with Super Glue.

The drawer was built out of 1/4" ply and had 3/4" ply curved fronts. The top of the drawer was veneered with walnut.

Using 3/4" oak scrap I built a bottom shelf and attached it with trim screws.

Using scrap pallet wood, I cut, chamfered, and nailed the edging in place, trimming the final two pieces to fit each of the four sides, drawer included.

Everything was stained with dark walnut and finished with a couple of coats of poly.

Wifey was thrilled with the final result. She turned the drawer in the back and filled it with her things.

I hope you enjoyed this Instructable. As usual, any questions answered, any comments appreciated.

Kink

Chester, the neighborhood cat, visits me regularly.