How to Build a Glass Top Coffee Table With a Shadow Box Design

Combine a glass top coffee table with a shadow box to create a decorative and functional display piece for your living space. The coffee table is essentially a rectangular plywood box with an open top that is covered with a sheet of glass. The larger-than-life shadow box display is ideal for sculptures, artwork or antiques. The coffee table measures 24-by-36 inches and is 18 inches tall, but you can modify it to fit your space. Select a high-quality, furniture-grade plywood for the coffee table, such as maple, birch or cherry. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Adjust the table saw to cut at a 45-degree angle. Move the fence on the table saw over so that it cuts just the corner edge from a 3/4-inch thick plywood panel. Lock the fence into place.

2

Saw a 45-degree angle on the 18-inch wide edges of the four plywood panels. The 45-degree angles should cut the same side of each panel so that the two 3/4-by-18-by-24 inch ends and the two 3/4-by-18-by-36 inch sides fit together like a picture frame to form a rectangular box. Lay the panels flat on the table of the saw, one at a time, and guide them through the saw with the 18-inch edges flush against the table saw fence to complete each cut.

3

Stand the two 3/4-by-18-by-24 inch ends parallel to each other with the 3/4-by-24 inch edge flat against a work surface. Space the outside edges of the ends 36 inches apart. Place the two 3/4-by-24-by-36 inch sides on either side of the ends to form a rectangular box.

4

Hammer finish nails though the sides into the ends at each corner joint. Space the nails approximately every 3 inches.

5

Align the 3/4-by-24-by-36 inch panel over the top edges of the rectangular box. This is the bottom. Hammer finish nails through the bottom into the edges of the rectangular box approximately every 3 inches.

6

Center a nail set onto each finish nail head. Tap the nail set with the hammer to set each nail in the assembly into the surface of the wood approximately 1/16-inch deep. Fill the nail holes with putty and a putty knife. Allow the putty to dry overnight then sand the dried putty with a sanding block equipped with fine-grit sandpaper.

7

Apply two coats of spray lacquer onto the assembly. Allow four hours between coats. Let the final coat dry for at least 24 hours before continuing.

8

Place an adhesive-backed rubber pad on the top edges of the rectangular assembly in each corner and in the center of the top edge of each 36-inch side. Lay the tempered glass panel over the assembly to complete the coffee table. Add decorations inside the assembly as desired.