Step 1:
Draw the Design
As usual, before start to do a certain thing we draw the plan/design 1st.
Step 2:
Gather the Cardboards and other Materials.
From my stock of cardboard (I always replenish my supply as I make things), I select the pieces I will need for the end table.
1.Assorted Clamps
2.Two inch craft papers
3.Flat Clamp blocks
4.Angle block
Step 3:
Design is transferred to Cardboard
I use a pencil to draw my design. For circle cuts, I use a plate or saucer or any other round object of the correct size. Straight lines are drawn with any available straight edge.
1.Use plate for circle drawing template.
2.With simple CAD instrument
3.Straight edge for marking and cutting.
Step 4:
Cut out Pieces
The bandsaw is my main tool for cutting cardboard! Of course, I have scissors, box cutter knives, mat cutters, and my own cutting tool. What ever works, the goal is to make clean cuts that are accurate.
1.After the semi-circle is cut, these pieces are glued to side piece (left) .
1.Three layers glued together for top insides.
2.Three layers cut and glued on bottom of end table.
Step 5:
Glue pieces together as Needed
For the side pieces, I glued 4 pieces of cardboard together. Alternating the "grain" of the cardboard will increase the strength considerably. For the lower shelf, 4 pieces were used as well. For the top, I used 4 layers. The back is made up of two pieces.
1.Use have to use this much glue.
1.Glue weight and wait
1.Waiting with weights
1.Note 4 layers of cardboard.
Step 6:
Test Pieces To see that your design is Valid.
Try to put the pieces together to make sure everything lines up properly. With the "dado" groove for the bottom shelf, the pieces should hold together to check alignment.
1.Top,inside pieces.
2.Buttom, inside pieces.
3." Dado " groove.
1.This piece of cardboard used on top is a factory finished piece, hence the orange color/design. Will be painted over later on.
2."Dry" run.
Step 7:
Glue All pieces for Final Assembly
Glue the project together. I use a T-square as shown to check for squareness, and insure that the piece will be assembled to true square.
1. Angle block to join corners
2. This is the clamping details
1.Weight here
2.Glued and clamped on four corners.
1." Raw " edge to have craft paper strip added.
1.The two inch craft paper, folded, glue added, and applied to corners.
1.Box contains 6x6 in tiles, used for this purpose as well as many others.
2.Note, craft paper glued to raw edges.
3.This is the top. Better to glue and weight it upside down!
4.For added strength, glue a folded piece of paper at the joint of the side and top.
Step 8:
Finish Edges of Exposed Cardboard.
In this step, I just cut strips of craft paper (actually a grocery bag) that fit the edge exactly. This is glued on and allowed to dry.
1.End table is now complete except for final finishing.
2.Edges are finished with craft paper.
This is the Pre Paint table.
Step 9:
Choose A Finish For the End Table/Magazines/ Holder
Any of a number of finishes can be used, depending on the look you want to achieve. Acrylic paints are an excellent choice. Using basic painting techniques, a faux-wood look can be achieved quite easily. Or, you might want to cover it with colored papers, cloth, oil based stain, etc. That choice is up to you!
