How to Build a Table Over a Cast-Iron Heater

Stand up two 2-by-2-by-36-inch posts, which are the table legs, parallel to each other about 2 feet apart. Suspend a 1/2-by-2-by-24-inch board across the two legs, and adjust the legs until their outside surfaces line up with the end of the board, which is the leg support board.

Drill 3 holes down through the top of the leg support board and into each individual leg, for a total of 6 holes. Set a 2-inch wood screw in each hole and drill the boards tightly together.

Repeat for an additional two legs and a leg support board to complete the leg frames.

Flip the tabletop upside down, and position both leg frames on top of it evenly, bearing in mind the size of the cast-iron heater and keeping the legs as far from the heater as possible, right to the edge of the tabletop. Drill 6 holes through each leg support board and into the tabletop, not piercing the top surface of the tabletop. Set 2-inch wood screws into these holes, and tighten them with a drill.

Cut out sections of felt or fabric to cover all areas of the table which are exposed to the cast-iron heater, including the bottom of the tabletop, the legs and the leg support boards. Staple the material to the inside of the table in as inconspicuous positions as possible. Cover the material with metal sheeting or aluminum foil, cutting the metal to fit with tin snips or simply ripping it if it is aluminum foil. Staple the metal to the previously installed material to provide heat reflection.