Child-Size Table and Chair

From The Complete Illustrated Woodworking Course

Getting Started

Biscuit jointed and routed, this child-size table and chair is a good trial for making projects entirely with power tools. The process is so simple that we only need explain how to make a chair. These projects are made entirely from MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or plywood, with small offcut blocks needed to support the seat and top, though this job could also be done with biscuits. Both the chair and table are made from 3/4 -inch (18 mm) thick material, which is why the cutting list can be so simple.

Cutting List

Part Table Material Quantity Dimensions thickness, width, length

A Top MDF or plywood 1 3/4 x 23 5/8 x 23 5/8 in. (18 x 600 x 600 mm)

B Front and back leg

MDF or plywood 2 3/4 x 19 5/8 x 20 7/8 in. (18 x 498 x 530 mm)

C Side leg

MDF or plywood 2 3/4 x 18 1/2 x 20 7/8 in. (18 x 530 x 470 mm)

Part Chair

A Seat MDF or plywood 1 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 13 3/8 in. (18 x 298 x 340 mm)

B Back MDF or plywood 1 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 27 1/2 in. (18 x 298 x 700 mm)

C Front leg

MDF or plywood 1 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 13 in. (18 x 298 x 330 mm)

D Side leg

MDF or plywood 2 3/4 x 10 3/8 x 13 in. (18 x 264 x 330 mm)

Shopping List

Bill of materials

Biscuits 1 1/4 in. (32 mm) 8-gauge wood screws to fix seat

1. Draw a 4 x 8-foot (1219 x 2438-mm) sheet and and work out exactly how you are going to cut the components. Some of the leg parts may be able to interlock to save material.

2. Cut out all the parts, ideally on a table saw (perhaps at the lumberyard) so that the edges are smooth and clean. If you go down this route, you probably won't be able to to interlock the components, and it comes down to whether you either want to save time or waste material.

3. Mark up the cutouts, using the 2-inch (51 -mm-)-radius template for the curved corners.

TIP: Designing with sheet materials in mind.

Often, how you design a project will have a significant impact on how efficiently you can cut parts from sheet material. For instance, if you build casework, sides anything over 24 inches (610 mm) wide, you are likely to drastically reduce the number of pieces you can extract from one sheet. And don't forget to account for the kerf of the saw, which is likely to be at least 1/8 inch (3 mm).

4. Use a jigsaw to cut away the cutouts. Always wear goggles (and, of course, a mask) when cutting with a jigsaw because it can very easily kick small particles up into your eyes as you watch the cut. In fact, I've had more problems with jigsaws than almost any tool. Cut out the circle in the back of the chair.

Use a belt sander to smooth the internal edges and the curved corners.

Line up the components, marking which one matches which, and mark where the biscuits are to be positioned. Cut the grooves for the biscuits.

Use a bearing-guided rounding over the cutter to round the edges, where appropriate.

Dry-assemble each piece, and then assemble with glue, using bar clamps. You can often get away without clamps for a biscuit joint, since the biscuit expands quickly and the joint is so strong.

Glue blocks to the leg assemblies; then drill the seat and tabletop and screw them in place. Alternatively, you could screw a batten along the top edge of the legs and screw up through that into the underside of the seat or tabletop so that the screws are hidden.