Rustic X Coffee Table

Cut list

Board layout. Each row is one board, cut left to right, with the remainder hatched. F and G are rough blanks. Dark lines are saw cuts, about ⅛″ wide.

Build it

1. 
   01

   Cut the straight pieces

   Cut these to length:

   • A Legs, four at 16½″
   • B Short aprons, two at 12″
   • C Long aprons, two at 40″, and D the stretcher, one at 40″
   • E Top boards, four at 46″

   Then rough-cut the X blanks: two at 18½″ (F) and four at 8″ (G). You'll trim those to fit later.

   Watch outClamp the four legs together and check the ends line up before you build anything. Uneven legs make a table that rocks.
2. 
   02

   Drill the pocket holes

   Set your jig for 1½″ material and drill on the inside faces only:

   • B short aprons: 2 at each end, plus 2 along the top edge
   • C long aprons: 2 at each end, plus 4 along the top edge
   • D stretcher: 2 at each end, on the same face
   • E top boards: 5 along one edge of three boards

   The X pieces get their pocket holes later, after you fit them.

3. 
   03

   Build the two end frames

   Lay two legs (A) on a flat bench. Fit a short apron (B) between them at the top, flush with the leg tops and faces, pocket holes up. Glue and drive 2½″ pocket screws.

   Lay a straight board across the bottom ends of the legs. That edge stands in for the floor when you fit the X. Build the second frame to match.

4. 
   04

   Fit the long X piece

   Lay an 18½″ blank (F) across the opening from the bottom of one leg to the top corner on the other side. Trace along the legs, the apron and the floor board where they cross it, and cut to the lines.

   Your saw will be close to 42¾° for the cuts that meet the floor and the apron, and 47¼° for the cuts that meet the legs. The finished piece is about 17¾″ point to point.

   Drill a pocket hole near each end on the inside face, then glue and screw it into the frame.

   Watch outSneak up on the fit. Cut a little long, test it, and trim. A snug X is what makes the end rigid. The spare 2x4 is there for a second try.
5. 
   05

   Fit the short X pieces

   Each short piece (G) runs from a corner to the long piece. Cut the corner end to a point the same way as F. Then hold it in place, mark where it meets F, and cut that end at about 4½°. They come out about 7¼″ long.

   Drill one pocket hole near the corner end, glue both ends and screw it to the frame. Repeat on the second frame.

6. 
   06

   Connect the ends with the long aprons

   Stand the two end frames up with their pocket holes facing in. Fit the long aprons (C) between them at the top, flush with the tops and outside faces. Glue and screw.

   Measure corner to corner both ways. When the diagonals match, the base is square.

7. 
   07

   Add the stretcher

   Fit the stretcher (D) between the two X's where the pieces cross: its middle sits 6½″ up from the floor and centered front to back. Drive pocket screws through its ends into the long X pieces.

8. 
   08

   Build and attach the top

   Lay the four top boards (E) face down, pocket holes along the joints. Clamp them flat, glue the edges and drive 2½″ pocket screws from the middle out.

   Center the base upside down on the top, with 1½″ of overhang on every side, and screw up through the apron holes. No glue between the top and the base.

9. 
   09

   Sand and finish

   Sand with 80 grit to flatten the top joints, then 120 and 180. Soften the edges and the points of the X a little.

   A dark stain followed by a clear topcoat suits the rustic look. Test the stain on an offcut first.