How to Build Wooden Table Bases

Lay a plank of 20-inch 2-by-4 lumber on your work surface, oriented vertically. Lay a plank of 20-inch 1-by-2 lumber 12-1/2 inches away on the bench, but parallel with the first plank. Lay two more 20-inch planks of 1-by-2 lumber spaced 12-1/2 inches apart, and finally another 20-inch 2-by-4 plank 12-1/2 inches from the last 1-by-2 plank. There will be 60 inches between the two 2-by-4 planks.

Fit two planks of 60-inch 2-by-4 lumber on either end of the planks you laid out on the work surface. These planks should be oriented horizontally, and thus be perpendicular to the vertically oriented planks. The ends of the planks should form corners with the two outer 2-by-4 planks.

Glue the ends of all the vertically oriented planks to the two 60-inch planks, and set the corners of the entire frame into corner clamps while the glue dries. The 2-by-4 planks are the aprons for the table base, and the 1-by-2 planks are the support planks that are used to attach the tabletop to the base.

Remove the corner clamps once the glue is dry and drill two pilot holes, sized for the shaft of 3-inch wood screws, through the 60-inch aprons into the ends of the 20-inch aprons and the three support planks. Secure with 3-inch wood screws through the pilot holes.

Fit four upright planks of 28-inch 2-by-6 lumber, the table base legs, into each corner of the apron frame. The legs should be flush against the side aprons.

Drill four pilot holes, sized for the shaft of a 3-1/2-inch lag bolt, through the side aprons into each leg, then fasten the legs to the aprons with 3-1/2-inch lag bolts through the side apron into the legs. Turn the base over, so that it is now standing on the legs.