Step 7: Attach the Cleats

Tom Silva attaches cleats to the underside of the table top for a trestle table with a drill/driver
Photo: Allison Dinner
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Draw a guide line on the underside of the tabletop that's 3 inches from each edge. Secure 1x2 cleats on the flat along the inside edge of the line, using 1¼-inch deck screws. Space the cleats to leave enough room to install two 2x4 stringers between the spots where the leg plates will be attached.
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    Tools List

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    • circular saw
      Circular saw
    • miter saw
      Miter saw
    • drill
      Drill/driver fitted with a ⅝-inch paddle bit
    • pneumatic finish nailer
      Pneumatic nail gun

    Shopping List

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    1. Newel posts Get two for the legs.

    2. ¾-inch birch-veneer plywood Get a 4x8 sheet for the tabletop and leg plates.

    3. 10 ½-inch corbel Get four for the feet.

    4. Handrail Get a 6-foot length for the stretcher.

    5. ⅝-inch dowel Get a minimum of two inches to plug the fastener holes for the stretcher.

    6. 1x2 Get an 8-foot length to make the cleats for the underside of the tabletop.

    7. 1x4 Get three 6-foot lengths to make the apron.

    8. 2x4 Get a 6-foot length to make the stringers. 9. ¾-inch quarter-round trim Get three 8-foot lengths to trim the edges of the tabletop.

    10. 6-inch lag screws Get two to attach the stretcher to the legs.

    11. 8-inch lag screws Get eight to attach the feet to the legs.

    12. 3-inch deck screws

    13. 1¼-inch deck screws

    14. 2-inch finishing nails

    15. Wood glue

    16. 120-grit sandpaper

    17. Satin latex paint

    18. Waterborne polyurethane finish