Rustic Industrial Coffee Table

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I have to be honest here: When I first made the lid for my blanket chest, I messed up the dimensions and it ended up a little small. But it was already finished and perfect and wonderful before I discovered the mistake … oops …

So I attached it to the chest anyways and just moved on with my life …

Until this week.

The time has finally come for a new lid. Have I made the new lid yet? Of course not. I’m not that on top of things.

BUT. I did turn the old lid into something new!

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue … all the best stories start out like this.

What is the something new? A super simple rustic industrial coffee table!

Seriously a 30 minute project. And even quicker if you have an old lid or table top sitting around 😉

Enjoy the free plans below!

This post contains affiliate links. See my full disclosure here.

Tools & Supplies:

Hairpin Legs
Miter Saw
Drill
Kreg Pocket Hole Jig
1-1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
Tape Measure
Square
Clamps
Wood Glue
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Ear Protection

Lumber:

1 | 1 x 6 – 8′
1 | 1 x 4 – 6′

Cuts:

2 | 1 x 4 @ 26″
2 | 1 x 6 @ 26″
2 | 1 x 6 @ 18″

Step 1.

Build the top of the coffee table.

Attach the boards as shown below with wood glue and 1-1/4″ pocket holes and screws. Place pocket holes on the bottom side of the tabletop to best hide them.

For more detailed instructions, see How to Build a Tabletop.

*Tip: After I ordered the set of Hairpin Legs, I received an email with certain recommendations for installation. So, per the recommendations, I also added “cleats” on the underside of the tabletop. See the full list of recommendations below.

Step 2.

Sand the table top and finish as desired. I used two coats Minwax ‘Special Walnut’ stain and then sealed the table top with three coats of Minwax Clear Gloss Polycrylic.

Step 3.

Attach the hairpin legs to your tabletop. I found these hairpin legs on Amazon and absolutely love them!

The manufacturer, Industrial By Design, also sent a helpful email detailing their recommendations for installation. From their email:

Attaching the legs: When you pre-drill your holes for attaching the legs, it’s a best practice to measure from the tip of your drill bit how deep of a hole you want to drill, and then wrap a piece of masking tape around the bit. This will help prevent you from drillling a hole all the way through your tabletop!
Screw size: I recommend a #10 screw, and the reason you won’t find them included is that everybody’s tabletop width is different! Select the perfect length of screw for your project, and pick up some 1/4 inch washers for added strength.
Tabletop strength: Most traditional tabletops are supported by a skirt that runs underneath the top near the perimeter of the table. Hairpin leg tables tend to not have these skirts because the legs screw into the top rather than a skirt. Without the support of a skirt, I recommend attaching “cleats” on the underside of your table, perpendicular to your table top boards. These cleats are typically around 2″ wide and about 3/4″ thick.

It’s so nice to support a small business that really cares about what they do! I highly recommend checking out their shop. It’s full of all sorts of goodies!

After you attach the hairpin legs, you’re ready to start enjoying your new coffee table!