How to Make a Base for a Glass-Top Dining Table

A glass-top dining table is a beautiful piece of furniture for a dining room or eat-in kitchen area. Glass-top tables allow diners to see through the table's surface to admire the beautiful base structure. Having the ability to see the base structure emphasizes the importance of having a well-crafted base. A handmade decorative table base can be easily constructed to catch the attention of any guest diner, and is sure to be a conversation piece. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Assemble the tabletop base frame. Select two 36-inch 2x4s and two 30-inch 2x4s. Lay the 30-inch sections flat on your work surface, and line up the two 36-inch sections along their outer corner edges to make a 36-inch square outline.

2

Bond the tabletop base. Apply two long nails to each end to bond the sections of wood together. Use straight metal brackets to enforce the connection at each corner. Lay the straight brackets so half is on each piece of wood at the corner, and use 1-1/2-inch nails to bond the brackets to the wood. Repeat at all four corners.

3

Attach the legs. Measure in 2 inches diagonally from each corner and mark this section. Apply wood glue to the end of each 30-inch baluster and attach them to the table base, centering the leg on each corner's marked location. Allow the wood glue to dry for 10 minutes, and then place the base in a standing position. Drive two 6-inch nails down into each leg going from the top of the base.

4

Paint the table base. Use black paint, and paint the base structure using a paintbrush. Cover over any metal brackets and exposed screws. Allow the paint to dry completely before continuing.

5

Attach the tiles to the base. Apply a layer of thinset mortar around the entire top surface of the table. Place a tile in each corner, and continue to lay tiles around the top of the base until the surface is completely covered. Allow the mortar to set for 24 hours.

6

Grout the tiles. Apply a layer of grout with the grout float to the space between each tile. Remove any excess grout with a wet sponge. Allow the grout to set for 24 hours.

7

Attach the glass. Mark the center of each corner tile, and drill a small hole through the mark. Insert the small suction cups to the drilled location. Gently center the glass top on the base structure.