How to Build a Carpenter's Table

Determine the height, width and depth you want for your carpenter's table. The top of the table should be about waist high, and should be large enough to accommodate your most ambitious carpentry projects.

Measure two sections of 2-by-4-inch lumber for the length of your table, and two additional sections for the depth, with a measuring tape. Cut the sections to length with a circular saw. Miter the ends of these sections at 45-degree angles with a miter saw.

Assemble the width and depth sections to form a rectangle. Drill two pilot holes through each corner -- the pilot holes should be about 1/16-inch smaller in diameter than the wood screws. Insert a 4-inch wood screw into each pilot hole and tighten it with an electric screwdriver.

Measure the interior depth of the rectangle. Transfer this measurement to sections of 2-by-4-inch lumber and cut them to length with a circular saw. You will need one section for every 12 inches of table length -- these sections provide additional support for your table top.

Place the interior support sections between the table top frame's length sections at 12-inch intervals. Drill pilot holes through the length sections into the ends of the supports and secure them with 4-inch wood screws.

Place the frame on top of a sheet of 5/8-inch-thick plywood. Mark the dimensions of the frame on the plywood with a pencil. Cut the plywood to the size of the frame with a table saw. Repeat this process with a second sheet of 5/8-inch-thick plywood.

Measure and cut four sections of 4-by-4-inch lumber about 5 inches shorter than the finished height of your carpenter's table to form the table legs. Turn the frame on its edge, place the end of one leg against the corner of the frame, drill pilot holes through the frame into the end of the leg and insert 6-inch wood screws to secure the leg to the bottom of the table frame. Repeat this process for the remaining three legs.

Stand the table upright. Place one sheet of plywood on top of the table top frame and align the edges of the plywood with the frame. Drill pilot holes at 4-inch intervals through the plywood into the frame and supports. Insert and tighten 4-inch wood screws to secure the plywood to the frame.

Apply wood glue to the top of the plywood sheet. Turn the table upside-down and place it on the second sheet. Align the edges of the plywood sheets. Allow the glue to dry for one hour before turning the table over.