Gardens Outdoor Fine Woodworking

many of these tables outside, using a circular saw to cut the parts

to length (a handsaw works nearly as well). Using sawhorses to

hold the stock is an improvement over working on the ground,

but don’t let a lack of sawhorses keep you from getting started.

If you work on the ground, just lay scraps of wood underneath

to provide clearance for the blade.

The parts are easy to make

One of the reasons this table can be made so quickly is that you

don’t need to mill any of the lumber. After you get it home, it’s

just a matter of cutting the parts from the boards.

Begin by cutting all the parts to rough length. I cut them about

1 in. to 2 in. longer than the finished dimensions to allow for the

First cut parts

longer than

you need. Use a

carpenter’s square

and a pencil or pen

to mark a line, and

cut the stock by eye

with a circular saw.

Then cut them to

length. Use a Speed

Square to guide the

saw accurately to get

a square cut. Hold the

square tightly in place.

The first cut is made

close to the end of the

stock. Turn the stock

end for end, mark the

length, and then align

the guide and saw to

cut at the mark.

Rip the shelf

supports. Use a

ripping guide to get

a straight cut and

supports that are

a consistent width

along their length.

Cut the parts to size

ends to be accurately trimmed square. To square the ends, use

a Speed Square held against the sides of the stock as a cutting

guide. Hold the square tight to the stock. Then hold the saw tight

to the square, aligning the blade with your line of cut. After you

cut one end, turn the stock end for end. Now mark the stock

to the exact length required. Align the Speed Square so that the

sawblade lines up with the mark.

Now, rip the supports for the lower shelves from thinner^3 ⁄ 4 -in.

stock. This can be done with a handsaw or circular saw with a

ripping guide. Set the guide so that the distance is 1^1 ⁄ 2 in. between

the guide fence and the blade. Place your wood on sawhorses or

on the ground with scraps of wood to lift it.

Mark the 15° angle on the ends of the shelf supports using a

Rough out all of the parts first by cutting them an inch or two

longer than their final length. This allows you to cut the ends

square to the sides easily when you cut the part to its final length.

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