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109 Sydenham Rd
Marrickville, NSW, 2204

+61 (0)410 32 5575

In every Australian garage is an unloved chair... Little Red Industries aims to find them and completely revamp them to last another lifetime. Great design choices, unique finishes and fabrics and smart repairs combine with a guarantee that sturdiness and a solid structure always come first. If you're after a certain style or something special Little Red Industries can source it for you.

How To

While nothing beats the satisfaction of doing it yourself (that's what DIY is all about!), with Little Red Industries you're not alone.

FOLDAWAY trestle table

Alun Machin

1 OPENER table with plant.jpg

A trestle table is practical and easy to make and you can have some fun with the details like using coloured rope to put a modern twist on this classic design.

The trestles use a fair bit of timber, so I’ve kept the costs down by using 64mm DAR clear pine. Simply seal it with Monocel Clear Timber Varnish to help protect from moisture damage.

2 with trestle leg.jpg

When building a trestle, make holes for the rope before assembly, position the rails on the inside of the legs, and use fixed-pin hinges.

3 table top raw.jpg

The top is made from laminated oak panel, which is just 18mm thick, so adding a frame underneath makes it appear more solid while acting as a stopper to ensure there’s no chance of the tabletop slipping off the trestles.

4 table top.jpg

The finish is achieved with three coats of Monocel Stain & Varnish in Grey, which protects from wear and tear while still showing the woodgrain. I love that from a distance it looks a bit like concrete.

5 MATERIALS pic.jpg

DIY MATERIALS

DIY TOOLS

  • tape measure

  • combination square

  • dropsaw

  • drill with driver bit

  • 10mm drill bit

  • 8g countersinking bit 

  • random orbital sander with 180- and 240-grit sanding discs or sanding block with sheets

  • at least four clamps

  • hand saw

  • utility knife or scissors

 
1 measure and cut the legs and rails.jpg

STEP 1 Cut the legs and rails

Use a tape measure to mark out 64mm DAR pine for eight legs at 720mm long and eight rails at 480mm long. Set up a drop saw to cut the pieces to size.

TIP For each cut allow 3mm, which is the width of saw blade. To ensure all pieces are exactly the same, it’s best to measure and cut one piece at a time.

 
2 make the rope hole.jpg

STEP 2 Make the rope holes

On four rails, measure half way along and 32mm from the sides to mark a hole for the rope, drilling with a 10mm drill bit.

 
3 set out the rails.jpg

STEP 3 Set out the legs

Position the top rail over two legs and the base rail 150mm up from the ends, using the combination square to check, making sure the edges are flush and straight. 

TIP It’s easier to work with two drills, with one set up for drilling and the other for driving. Otherwise, have the bits on hand and swap them as you go. 

 
4 use countersinking bit.jpg

STEP 4 Drill and secure

Countersink the top rail with two holes at each joint, then secure with screws. Check the base rails are square, then countersink and secure.

TIP Countersinking the screws ensures the heads sit just below the surface so the trestle can be stored flat.

 
5 seal the trestles with clear varnish.jpg

STEP 5 Seal the base

Sand the legs all over with a 180-grit sanding disc then use a mini tray and roller with microfibre cover to apply Monocel clear varnish, leaving to dry then applying a second coat.

TIP For an all-over finish, apply varnish on the rail side first, leave to dry then turn the legs over to complete the coat and leave to dry.

 
6 set out the table top frame.jpg

STEP 6 Set out the frame

Cut 42mm DAR pine into two 1200mm-long side pieces and two 600mm-long end pieces. Position them around the underside of the timber panel, butting the end of each length against the previous piece, adjusting so all edges are flush with the panel. 

TIP This method ensures there are no gaps, and each piece should protrude at one end slightly.

 
7 apply adhesive.jpg

STEP 7 Glue up the frame

Clamp the pieces to fit then, beginning with an end piece, remove the clamp to apply Bondcrete adhesive and return it to position and re-clamp, ensuring one end is butted against the previous piece and one end protrudes. 

 
8 secure the frame with screws.jpg

STEP 8 Secure the frame

Countersink along each side, about 100mm from the ends and in the centre, then secure with screws.

TIP After adding the screws, remove the clamps and reposition them over the corners to apply extra pressure while drying.

 
9 remove the excess framing.jpg

STEP 9 Trim the frame 

Use a handsaw to remove the protruding pieces of the frame, cutting as close to the tabletop as possible.

 
10 sand the egdes and round over the corners.jpg

STEP 10 Round-over the corners

Use 120-grit abrasive paper to smooth the cuts and round-over the edges and corners. Repeat with 180-grit, sanding over the top, moving with the grain. Repeat over all surfaces with 240-grit for a silky finish.

 
11 apply varnish.jpg

STEP 11 Apply varnish

Use a mini roller to apply the first coat of Monocel varnish in Grey, rolling around the edges and leaving to dry. Seal the roller in plastic wrap and pour the excess varnish back into the tin. 

Apply a second and third coat, leaving to dry thoroughly between each.

TIP Raise the tabletop on some offcuts so you can run the roller underneath to pick up any drips.

 
12 positiong the legs rail side up with a 4mm gap for the hinges.jpg

STEP 12  Assemble the trestles

Set out pairs of legs, top to top, with the rails facing up and an equal gap of 4mm between them to fit the barrel of the hinges. Position the hinges, about 10mm from the edge, make pilot holes and secure with screws.

 
13 tape one end of the rope and thread through both trestles cutting the rope to about 500mm.jpg

STEP 13 Thread the rope

Use masking tape to seal one end of the rope and thread it through both sets of trestles, spreading the bases to be 250mm apart and allowing for 150mm rope either side. Use a utility knife or scissors to cut the pieces.

TIP The rope for each trestle is about 600mm long.

 
14 tie off the ends.jpg

STEP 14 Tie off the ends

Tie a knot at each side, leaving a loop and pushing the ends of the rope into the holes.

 
15 set up the table.jpg

STEP 15 Set up the table

To assemble the table, position the trestles about 600mm apart, spreading the bases so the rope is taught. Position the tabletop, making sure the trestles sit within the frame.

 
CLOSING IMAGE image.jpg

Sealing the timber means the table can be used anywhere – in the workshop, by the pool or barbecue, as a bar or serving table.