How to Build a Marble-Topped Table

A marble-topped table is an elegant addition to the decor of your home, bringing timeless glamor to any style of room. Marble is a durable material that does not easily stain or break, making the table an heirloom for generations to come. Building your own coffee or end table with a marble inset will give you the satisfaction of knowing it is special to your family and that you saved hundreds of dollars.

Four 16 1/2-inch long, 4-by-4-inch pine pine boards
Two 20 1/2-inch long, 1-by-4-inch pine boards
Two 40-inch long, 1-by-4-inch pine boards
Four 2 3/4-inch long, 1-by-4-inch pine boards
Two 15-inch long, 1-by-4-inch pine boards
Four 20 1/2-inch long, 2-by-2-inch pine boards
Two 24 1/2-inch long, 2-by-6-inch pine boards
Two 43 1/2-inch long, 2-by-4-inch pine boards
2-by-20-by-35-inch marble block
2-inch wood screws
3-inch wood screws
Cordless drill
Fine-grit sandpaper
Wood epoxy
Putty knife

Instructions

- 1
  Connect two 4-by-4-inch pine boards, legs, together with a 20 1/2-inch long, 1-by-4-inch pine board, joining board, using 2-inch wood screws and a cordless drill. The joining board must be flush with the top of the legs, but leave a 3/4-inch gap from the end of the joining board to the edge of the legs on both ends.
- 2
  Connect the two remaining legs to a second joining board with 2-inch wood screws using a cordless drill leaving 3/4-inch open at the joining board's ends.
- 3
  Connect the two sets of legs to each other with a 40-inch long 1-by-4-inch pine board, a side apron, on each side using 2-inch wood screws and a cordless drill. The side aprons will fit inside the 3/4-inch gaps left by the joining boards.
- 4
  Screw a 2 3/4-inch long 1-by-4-inch pine board, apron spacer, into each of the seams made where the legs and the joining boards meet, from the outside of the table. Screw the apron spacer into the leg and into the joining board with 2-inch wood screws.
- 5
  Attach a 15-inch long 1-by-4-inch pine board to the outside of each end of the table using the apron spacers with 2-inch wood screws using a cordless drill.
- 6
  Attach tabletop supports to the inside of the table, widthwise, by screwing a 20 1/2-inch long 2-by-2-inch pine board every 6 1/2 inches between the two joining boards using 2-inch wood screws.
- 7
  Screw a 24 1/2-inch long 2-by-6-inch pine board, breadboard end, on each end of the table with 3-inch wood screws. The breadboard ends must hang over the edge of the table by four and a quarter inches.
- 8
  Attach a 43 1/2-inch long 2-by-4-inch pine board to the edges of the table between the two breadboard ends using 3-inch screws and a cordless drill.
- 9
  Sand all the wooden edges with a fine-grit sandpaper.
- 10
  Spread wood epoxy to the top of the support boards and the joining boards. Make the epoxy thick on the boards.
- 11
  Set a 2-by-20-by-35-inch marble block into the open space in the center of the table and press down carefully. Allow the epoxy to cure for at least an hour before moving the table.

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