This episode of Kwa + Reims we make a simple table you can build in about an hour or so! Fold it away when you don't need it. CONVENIENCE!
We're using a Ponderosa Panel for our table top. It has awesome grain so staining it will make it look HANDSOME! They come in all kinds of sizes. This one is 20 inches by 36 inches by 3/4 of an inch. Like any other material you buy at places like Home Depot or Lowes, inspect the stock to make sure it's not warped, cracked or damaged.
Dry fitting the pieces together
We cut support pieces that will also raise the table top higher since our TV trays stand quite low. Since the TV trays are smaller than the table top the support pieces will also provide rigidity along the width of the table top. Dimensions of these 4 pieces: 20 inches by 3.5 inches by 3/4 of an inch.
Pull up a chair you'll use for the table and make sure everything works. Enough leg room? The table height comfortable? Good opportunity to spot problems before you drill holes and make more cuts.
Because you're using TV trays for legs, you want to make sure you have clearance to properly fold it away. Make your final adjustments and center the pieces. We placed the TV trays 2-7/8 inches away from the ends of the table top, it will differ from what materials you're using so this is a good time to figure that out. Make sure the TV trays are going the same direction, you don't want the legs crashing into each other. The benefits of dry fitting!
That's a lot of material you're screwing into, so it's best if you drill pilot holes first. Make sure not to drill all the way through putting holes in your table top.
together. Screw it all together. We used #8 - 2 inch wood screws. They'll go through the TV tray, the support pieces and stop in the middle of the table top. Buy screws depending on the materials you're using, making sure you don't screw through the table top surface.
For now it's a great table. Make it more awesome by staining it or painting it. Chalkboard paint it if you're into getting your elbows all chalky.