Project: C End Table
Difficulty: Beginner
Materials:
- 12′ of 1” x 1” x 1/16” square tubing
- 1’ of 1” x 1” x ¼” angle
- 16” x 10” x 2” walnut slab
- 4x 1.5” screws
- 2x 2” screws
Design
This design is meant to slide under a sofa / couch / chair with leaving access to the table top for computer / dinner tray / etc. It gives the look like the wood slab is floating, or friction locked in, but it is actually supported by the angle iron underneath.
As usual, the first step is to determine the dimensions you want to build the C end table. The sofa arm height can vary greatly, so make sure to measure the one you are targeting precisely. I wanted the bottom of the wood slab to be ~27” from the floor.
The base needs to be wider than the wood top since this is where the metal supports attach. The upward supports need to extend slightly higher than the wood as well.
Calculations
You can use below formulas to determine the lengths needed:
Base length = Wood slab length
Base width = Wood slab width + 2 * square tubing size + 0.5”
Upward supports = Desired height of bottom of slab + slab thickness + 0.5”
Top support = base width
Middle support = base width – 2 * square tubing thickness
Assembly
I cut all 4 pieces on the base and the connections to the very top upward support at 45 degree miters. The upward supports are cut flat at the bottom and attach directly to the base.
The wood slab support is built out of two pieces of angle iron welded together so it looks like a ‘T’. I cut off the bottom of the ‘T’ as this will limit the maximum height of the sofa arm the table will slide over. My slab is was ~16” long and I cut the angle at a length of 5~6”. This was plenty long to provide the support required.
I drilled 4 holes in the angle and 2 in the middle support so the wood can be attached through 6 screws (overkill like most stuff I do!).
Wood Slab and Finishing Touches
I decided to go with a piece of walnut for this build. The dark color and deep grain I felt would really go well.
I also wanted to go with a thick table top. I used 2″ thick slab, which gave it a nice pop on top of the 1″ square steel tubing used. It was also approximately 16″ long by 10″ wide. This made it not too big but enough room for a dinner plate or laptop.
To finish the top I sanded it down to 220 grit. I then applied my current favorite finish, Watco Danish Oil. I prefer the natural finish as the walnut already has some deep color.
The very final touch for the wood top was to apply a few coats of polyurethane. Danish is a strong penetrating oil that doesn’t really need a poly finish. However, given the table was going to get some heavy use and potential for liquid stains, I edged on the side. I used a water based poly for this piece.
All I then had to do was let it dry and screw it to the frame. Edge product, a gorgeous C End Table which can slide over the arm of a sofa or stand off to the side.