$24 Outdoor Coffee Table

Build a simple outdoor coffee table from seven inexpensive 2×3 studs, with flared legs, lower stretchers, and a glued-up solid wood top. Figure-8 fasteners secure the tabletop while allowing for seasonal wood movement.

Materials

2×3 studs (7)
Scrap wood for 45-degree corner brackets (4)
Wood glue
Wood screws
Figure-8 tabletop fasteners
80-grit and 120-grit sandpaper
Cedar-tone exterior wood finish

Tools

Miter or circular saw
Drill/driver
Forstner bit
Bar clamps
Smaller clamps for assembly
Random orbital sander
Tape measure
Speed square

Steps

Straighten or rip the edges of the 2×3 studs as needed so the boards fit together cleanly. Cut two long aprons at 35″, two short aprons at 20″, two lower stretchers at 20″, and four legs at 16″.
Cut both ends of each leg at 10 degrees with the cuts parallel to each other. This gives the legs a slight outward flare while keeping the top and bottom surfaces parallel.
Cut four 45-degree corner brackets from 2×3 scraps. Assemble the 35″ long aprons and 20″ short aprons around the corner brackets. Apply glue, predrill to reduce splitting, and secure the brackets to the aprons with screws.
Apply a generous amount of glue where each leg meets the corner assembly. Clamp the legs in position and drive screws through the corner brackets to secure them.
Install the two 20″ lower stretchers between the legs. Glue and screw them in place to stiffen the base, reduce wobble, and give the table a heavier look.
Glue up the tabletop from the remaining straightened 2×3 material. Arrange the boards edge-to-edge, apply glue along the joints, and clamp the entire panel tightly with bar clamps. Leave the panel clamped overnight to cure.
Remove the tabletop from the clamps and flatten it as much as possible. Sand first with 80-grit paper, then move to 120 grit. Trim the ends of the glue-up square to create a finished tabletop approximately 37″ x 20″.
Position the tabletop on the completed base. Mark the locations for the figure-8 tabletop fasteners and use a Forstner bit to create shallow recesses in the top edge of the frame so each fastener sits flush.
Screw the figure-8 fasteners to the base, position the tabletop, and secure the other side of each fastener to the underside of the top.
Finish the table with an exterior cedar-tone finish and allow it to dry before use.

Notes

Predrilling is especially helpful around the corner brackets and near the ends of the 2x3s to prevent splitting.
A planer makes it much easier to flatten a glued-up tabletop. Without one, expect some variation between boards and a more rustic finished surface.
Figure-8 fasteners are a good choice for the solid wood top because they allow the tabletop to expand and contract instead of fastening it rigidly to the base.
For a future outdoor version, small gaps between tabletop boards could improve drainage and eliminate the need for a large panel glue-up.
Pine is an inexpensive option for this build, but an exterior-rated finish and regular maintenance will help it hold up outdoors.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Estimated Time: 2-3 days