How to Build an Easy Outdoor Coffee

Even an outdoor table with a concrete top and smart looking woodwork doesn't have to be difficult. Follow me as I take you through this easy coffee table build which plans as available on the Etsy store - link below.
Proper DIY Etsy Store: www.etsy.com/your/shops/Prope...
Proper DIY Patreon Page: / properdiy

[@jimtownsend7899]

if I'm trying to be quiet and careful, and for jobs that require very low speed drilling, I still use my "egg beater" drill, and I also have a brace and bits. And with a brace, it's called that because you can brace it against your chest or hip or whatever and lean into the work. Very effective in keeping your bit from wandering and helping you get leverage.

[@adelker4884]

Superb tutorial 👌💯❤️. Thanks a million, especially for sharing the tips on measuring, marking, and jointing 🙏

[@MaxCJ]

Drilling by hand showed plenty of commitment, but only one word for spreading the adhesive with a lolly pop stick...fab!

[@magill4046]

😂👌

[@stuartsnowden4824]

I’ve have used a hand drill many times. My Dad had a brace and bit, which I still have. A cordless drill is a must. My Dad would have been amazed!

[@Norfolkonsea]

Still use my late dad's hand drill now and again, and I'm now 63! 👍

[@tuesboomer1623]

Template and pre-marking is great for these types of double intersecting pieces. Such an ultimate timesaver. The fasteners added a nice decorative touch while doing their job as well. Nice little project!

[@basilparkes338]

Absolutely love your video Stewart and simple explanation too. 👏👏👏

[@colingoode3702]

Nice little project Stuart. Back in the day I had one of those hand drills which were a nightmare to use. Very easy to snap smaller diameter drill bits as you whirled away with one hand while trying to keep the drill straight with the other. It was a hand me down from my dad god bless him. I never used it or the Stanley Yankee pump screwdriver I inherited from him either. I adopted power tools very early on. Corded Black & Decker tools including a Work Mate from a friend who worked for B&D at the time. Believe it or not I still have the B&D a sander, circular saw, power plane & a Work Mate albeit they haven't been used in years now that I switched to cordless tools & a different work bench. Even my lawn mower & Blower Vac are battery powered now. Enjoy the NEC. That brings back memories of many days I spent on exhibition stands all over the UK & US which is very tiring standing up for long periods of time & suffering with feet that swell to at least one size larger than normal. Rather you than me. If you ever get the chance see if you can find an instructional training video featuring John Cleese entitled "How Not to Exhibit Yourself" (circa 1974). As young engineers we were made to watch this before manning our first exhibition stand in 1976. It's very funny. Keep the projects coming. 👍

[@davemead4504]

Love this project

[@garethcheshire-whatley1485]

Love it! Love the sheer simplicity of it! 😎

[@markywellsboy2182]

Thats a great little table. I have my Grandad's brace and bit, which we think is about 80 years old. It's beautiful to look at and use and still perfect. With the correct bits it's far easier to use than that little hand drill. It chomps through the material with ease.

[@brianjohnson2033]

Well done Stuart. A good looking, robust piece of furniture. I shall definitely be making one for myself.

[@pault8734]

Nice table Stuart. And wow that lawns coming on a treat with your super mower!

[@UsBourkes]

Love the use of hand tools - and quick release clamps ;) I use the cutoff you used as a spacer as my template as its always exactly the right size, just shave 2-3mm off and an awl easily goes through to mark the holes.

[@markirish7599]

Another fantastic peice of craftsmanship

[@allenlilly9466]

I really appreciate your many ideas that make this project easier.

[@karma3101]

It's surprising how you can achieve such a professional look with just basic tools and materials.

[@andyjackson2269]

Stu absoultely love the cardboard marker, fantastic,👍👌👏

[@terryphillips9737]

That drill brought back some memories ah the good old days

[@ashleybowes5506]

know what im doing this weekend nice little project to keep me busy thanks !!!!

[@colinbleach9390]

Another great video ...forgotten about hand drills...my dear Dad had one of course..

[@crazykittenvideos855]

Great idea! Could easily get a production line going and make a few at the same time for entertaining. I live that you consider the cost of items. The amount of U.S videos where they get huge amount of oak lumber (whatever that is lol) and don’t realise that we would have to remortgage the house to build projects out of hardwood in the UK. Keep up the great work!

[@Gerry2210]

Lovely job Stewart, like the tip on how you make your jigs/ templates. I’ll have a go at one of those soon. Thanks.

[@JS-ri2rx]

Now I want to have a go. Precision work. Keep the videos coming

[@marcwibble7949]

What a wonderful video with good tips. I am quite new to woodworking, I made 2 small outside tables and then a 3rd one 1.5 metres high, all from 45mm. The insufficient number of screws went in at semi random positions and the unit has such racking problems and benerally uses so much timber for something so poor it's getting disassembled again. I love your jigs! Cardboard jigs here I come, though I have used small simple jigs from offcut wood, I hadn't seen a card one before.

[@99andycat]

Liked simplicity of design and construction.

[@pincombe]

Great video as always. Have a great weekend!

[@cornwallkid100]

Great little project and good tips 👍 👌 😀

[@davidhayward4344]

Brilliant video as always - we've got an offcut of quartz worktop from a new kitchen and wanted to make something just like this - now we know how ;)

[@TYLERCONSTRUCTION]

That looks fab 👍

[@Toffee8370]

Looking nice and chilled there, Stuart. 😎

[@mld8]

Great video! Thank you

[@ugaladh]

I like watching videos like this not for the actual project but for all the little tidbits you pick up along the way. I had never seen the trick of using a piece of paper wrapped around the leg to cut it square. only thing that I'd add is don't just run out and get treated lumber and use it right away- it needs to sit and dry for this sort of project before the build or you'll have warping of the legs afterward.

[@xlfive]

Haha using that old hand drill takes me back,I still have my two speed hand drill that I bought as an apprentice,nice project Stuart

[@asawdustjourney]

Nice little table. Good informative vid as usual. Great to speak to you at Maker Central first thing on Saturday.

[@TheWardagh]

Great stuff 👍🏼

[@Quaker521]

Brilliant video and project Stuart. Hope that you have a great time at the NEC this weekend, I'm sure lots of viewers will head your way. I would, but work will be preventing me this weekend! 🙄

[@williamwales6619]

Nice and simple.Luvit🙃

[@timwyld573]

Loved this. The music in the background with the leg assembly sounds like something from Jeeves and Wooster. 👍

[@eddfitz2680]

Very good best I have seen

[@alfgundersen1058]

Super cool

[@gregmize01]

Slick!

[@alanpervin]

Nice job mate, good luck this weekend at the NEC.

[@robgullen]

Coincidence - I've come in from my garden having taken outside a coffee table in exactly the same style - made for the cost of about 20 pocket hole screws and some paint. The frame was made from a Beech bedframe I found beside the road and the top is the granite cut out for the sink in our kitchen (I got the supplier to polish it up as part of the granite deal) - simple pocket hole construction with the frame given two coats of Smoothrite paint and 4 plastic caps screwed to the bottom of the legs to stop water creeping into the wood.

[@DonMorte2]

Another cracking video Stuart! Think you need to add 'table' to the end of the title to get more search hits.

[@tonivalenzuela8274]

Hi, nice project. I download the instructions for the stool you presented and I can't wait to make it. I did try to chisel out my doors for hinges and it was a big fiasco. Such an utter failure that I took them off and Durham puttied the holes. I tried 4 hinges and finally gave up. It was not your instructions, they couldn't have been clearer. It took skill level I didn't have at least that is what I'm going with. Took me days and a lot of adjusting to fail miserably. Now I called out the big guns and asked my husband for help. Totally defeated. Just thought I would share. On to the next project.

[@howardbirch152]

Nice project Stuart. I always place a piece of plastic material on the base of any outdoor wooden leg to prevent moisture wicking up the leg and rotting the timber. It can’t be seen and significantly extends the life of whatever it is I have made.

[@marcwibble7949]

I use milk bottle tops

[@mrb4408]

I’ll be going to see Mr Diresta, the Boss man of Makers.

[@gaz740]

Nice project Stuart. See you tomorrow at NEC.

[@ianbrown_]

Great channel 👍🏻

[@bookkeepingsmes2089]

Clever using the concrete slab!

[@wimchen]

great unplugged version of wood working

[@b-artofnoise1514]

Juice on table - you are that funny - as always - I'm a big fan of your performance ...

[@predragsinko2513]

You are greate👍

[@mungrus]

Great video boy you made work for yourself but great for the new guy or girl with limited tools

[@MoranGuyVideos]

My opinion is that you could use corded or cordeless drill for drilling as there is more chance of people having such a drill than manual drill which may reserved only for collectors these days.

[@allanmanley6340]

Great work! P.S. next time you come to to Netherlands go to a D.I.Y. shop and buy yourself a packet (5x) spare nozzles for those caulk tubes........

[@evilzzzability]

wow, a handdrill - that's old school! There's an art to using them - apply pressure downwards with your whole body and it minimizes the side to side movement

[@robinlander1158]

I would recommend investing in a corded drill as a first drill.

[@harryinhuahin1272]

I am so totally anti cordless/battery tools - unless you're working far from a power point.

[@ronanmc2112]

Great antidote to the US makers who use every powertool and professional equipment under the sun for a 'DIY' project.

[@harryinhuahin1272]

So, so true...

[@harryinhuahin1272]

So, so true...

[@RevolutionV1Gaming]

I'm addicted to your videos! A colleague showed me your videos and said you were a fellow Civil Engineer yourself. Going to give it a go with the Garage side door. Are you attending the NEC 2024?

[@philquinn6375]

I picked up one of those hand drills at a auto jumble cost 2 quid !! Cool project though.

[@davidstevensasidewayslook8831]

the last time I used that hand drill was in the school carpentry class!! (60 years ago!😐)

[@2logj]

A simple project with complicated markings.Nevertheless there is lots to learn doing a project with complicated steps ie marking,etc.Thanks.

[@pandraus]

I signed in on Etsy with your link (good for you) but I don't see the plans for this little coffee table! Seems like a perfect job for me and my nieces to do in a sunny day!

[@simonhinson9367]

Nice idea for left over patio slabs plus that way the table matches the patio 👍🏻. Is it your or the clone that comes up with these great ideas 💡??

[@r.d.1991]

What a brilliant little project. About the limit of my capabilities too! Wow, haven't seen a hand drill in quite a while. 😁 Nice one 👍

[@charliethebubbles]

Hi, I have just downloaded and built my first end table and I was very happy with the result. As I’m new to woodwork would you suggest I use dowels instead of screws?

[@billysunday136]

Great video... What type of screws are used in this build please?

[@chrisgolfer7528]

All I was thinking during the video is thank goodness for power tools!

[@bmonck5110]

Wait….how did you attach the concrete top? Or is it just balanced on top between your wooden wedges?

[@johnchincotta1qwdb15]

Good job stewart 450mm is 18" lol

[@peteg9011]

Stuart where do you get your garden gloves from? What do you recommend? Cheers.

[@royscriven9942]

What measurement are the brace pieces please ?

[@Quest2chill]

Do you need to seal and wax the top to protect against drink staining?

[@LethalLuggage]

Trying to find screws like yours in the states and having no luck. Any advice on what to look for? The ones I picked up without double checking are for interior use only.

[@davezeraschi7936]

I’m here first and I watched the whole lot as well mr Stuart 🤣

[@jlmfoy365]

It's daft isn't it,a decent egg beater drill probably costs similar to a power drill. Regards Jim.

[@kuehnel16]

👏👏👏👏

[@yanggy2727]

Are screws OK for framing?

[@mattwalter7912]

Etsy link isn't working for me. I think it's a private link only for you.

[@norfolkhall]

A couple of bench hooks would make the hand sawing easier. Instead of the hand drill, it would have been easier using a brace and bit, so much more accurate for drilling those deeper holes.

[@williamling3056]

You need to fix that Etsy link. It looks like your login page.

[@andrewlouden3419]

That’s a proper old school cordless drill

[@brianthorne8609]

Stewart, why would you not glue the joints also?

[@chrishardwick683]

Another great idea and project - well done and thank you Quick question- with the larger concrete top table you had a drip channel - does this need a drip / rain run off ( or are you planning on storing in side over winter ? ) thanks Chris

[@Reavley]

I'm thinking of copying this build. My plan for a bit drip protection is to run a bead of silicone in place of where the drip channel was in his larger table. Hopefully any water than runs off the top of table then hits the silicone and drips down before being able to reach the timber frame

[@harryinhuahin1272]

@@Reavley Neat & simple idea

[@harryinhuahin1272]

I don't think you mentioned using a smaller diameter drill for the stretchers... or did i miss it...?

[@b3arwithm3]

What kind of finish did you use?

[@ericl6460]

"...and also I don't really like sanding" Haha, don't we all.

[@GA-dv4ty]

What length are the braces? Thanks

[@tagiti]

wher can you buy those screws please, cant grt into etsy

[@grahammorland5261]

Nice job Stuart. One question, how did you fix the top to the uprights, did you use the same adhesive that you used to fix the blocks to the top?. Great site Stuart.

[@ugaladh]

I think it isn't "fixed" or attached, it just sits on top and the blocks keep it in position.,

[@grahammorland5261]

Many thanks ugaladh, I had a loss of memory, Stuart did say at the beginning of the video he made the top to be removal. Doh!! Thanks for reminding me. 👍👍@@ugaladh

[@seancampbell1383]

This is a great video! My only thought is that a person with minimal tools is probably a beginner and will most likely not be able to reproduce the machine accurate cuts you are making with a hand saw. Best have at least a skill saw and speed square if you are a beginner… Cheers!

[@valborchardt3596]

Thanks Stuart, lovely project, hope you enjoy the makers show….btw, you need some new gloves, your thumb is seriously compromised 😂😂

[@richardbrown6039]

Downloaded the plans but having difficulty sourcing the Tx washer head screws in black or green, can you tell me where to go. Thanks

[@ProperDIY]

Try in the TimbaScrew range in Screwfix

[@Orabas86]

Etsy link not working? Would like to purchase the plans

[@Orabas86]

You pasted your own unique etsy link to manage listing it seems

[@raminybhatti5740]

The lore deepens. There's a clone in the workshop... 😅😂

[@DiHandley]

I thought you were going to make a coffee! 😂😂

[@uknowulikethat4042]

You sure that was just orange juice 🤔 nice work on the table

[@The_man_himself_67]

Excellent project! However, I have a minor quibble. Who is likely to own a hand drill these days? I totally get the point you are making about basic tools but someone new to DIY would be far better off picking up a cordless drill. Better to show how to drill a hole square on. Anyway, great project and should sell on Etsy. Good luck at the show!