Sofa Table / Arm Chair Stand ???

[oldhudson]

So this little project started out as my wife’s and my dislike for coffee tables. They seem to take up a lot of room and like most folks, for us floor space is at a premium. Plus they collect newspapers, magazines, empty beer bottles etc. So when we started remodeling last year we kinda decided we’d try to use both the living and family rooms without coffee tables. But we need something for the beverage of choice.

We saw lots of ‘sofa tables’ are on Etsy and Pinterest so I thought I’d try making one of those. But I hoped it would be more flexible and perhaps have some style. The pictures and text are from the build which I think of as “proof of concept”. We’ll try this for a few weeks and see if we like it or how it needs to be modified.

I started with feet for the project. (As part of our remodel we threw out an old, but nice TV cabinet.)        I cut off trim pieces to use as feet. I thought a piece of ¾” pw would make a good up-right and I had an off-cut of pine that I thought would make a table top.

Just because I’m a woodworker I like making projects without nails, screws or other mechanical fasteners. I’d prefer a more traditional approach. So this has none of those and, at least at this point, not even any glue.

I used the table saw to cut notches in the feet. Then I drilled and inserted dowels from the heel of the foot (look at the first pic). For the table I routed a slot and it just hangs on the upright. It moves up and down to accommodate the height of the sofa/chair arm. (Maybe the best feature of this unit and as far as I know the only unit that's adjustable?) The upright is plumb but the table hangs a full bubble off level. And I'm concerned that if bumped it may slide down....so I think I need to add a wedge(s) or dowel(s) to support it.

I'll probably post more on this over the coming weeks. 

[meflick]

I have wanted some similar type items to use by our couches where there really isn't a lot of room.  I like your prototype idea and look forward to hearing how you like them and if you decided they need some modifications before making your final ones.  Thanks for sharing.

[Rob]

A dark hardwood wedge inserted from underside the top on the sofa side would provide a nice accent detail when viewed from the top and also provide support and adjustment.

Rob

[amazingkevin]

12 hours ago, oldhudson said:

So this little project started out as my wife’s and my dislike for coffee tables. They seem to take up a lot of room and like most folks, for us floor space is at a premium. Plus they collect newspapers, magazines, empty beer bottles etc. So when we started remodeling last year we kinda decided we’d try to use both the living and family rooms without coffee tables. But we need something for the beverage of choice.

 

We saw lots of ‘sofa tables’ are on Etsy and Pinterest so I thought I’d try making one of those. But I hoped it would be more flexible and perhaps have some style. The pictures and text are from the build which I think of as “proof of concept”. We’ll try this for a few weeks and see if we like it or how it needs to be modified.

 

I started with feet for the project. (As part of our remodel we threw out an old, but nice TV cabinet.)        I cut off trim pieces to use as feet. I thought a piece of ¾” pw would make a good up-right and I had an off-cut of pine that I thought would make a table top.

 

Just because I’m a woodworker I like making projects without nails, screws or other mechanical fasteners. I’d prefer a more traditional approach. So this has none of those and, at least at this point, not even any glue.

 

I used the table saw to cut notches in the feet. Then I drilled and inserted dowels from the heel of the foot (look at the first pic). For the table I routed a slot and it just hangs on the upright. It moves up and down to accommodate the height of the sofa/chair arm. (Maybe the best feature of this unit and as far as I know the only unit that's adjustable?) The upright is plumb but the table hangs a full bubble off level. And I'm concerned that if bumped it may slide down....so I think I need to add a wedge(s) or dowel(s) to support it.

I'll probably post more on this over the coming weeks. 

Lets see the loaded down with beverage of choice.

[oldhudson]

So I've fooled around with this project and by and large I'm happy with the size. (It ended up being made from pine, birch pw, polar, and red oak.) I've added a handle at the top from more big box pine. It's attached to the original portion with  dowels. To prevent the top from accidentally sliding down I drilled 6 - 1/4" holes and made two stoppers. Cut the stoppers with a hole saw and the center just happened to be 1/4" so I glued in a short dowel. Works great. I added some stain and a few coats of poly. Concept wise I'm pretty happy and will make a 'keeper' when the spirit moves me.  Thanks for looking!

[merlin]

I like it................and have been planing to do won in the very near future....................................

[meflick]

Looks good. Thanks for sharing more info and photos.