Tools and Materials

• Letterpress drawers (also called printer’s trays)
• Pliers (and other tools)
• Measuring tape
• 1/2-inch plywood
• Hairpin legs (4)
• Drill (with countersink bit)
• 3/4-inch Philips flathead bolts (with nuts)
• Lock washers
• Linen (or other fabric)
• Staple gun
• 1-inch finishing nails
• Hammer
• 1/4-inch glass

Collection Table Process

1. Carefully remove bottom of each drawer using pliers (and other tools as needed) to remove staples and nails as you go.
2. Butt two drawers together and measure resulting dimensions of underside of drawers. Cut 1/2-inch piece of plywood to fit dimensions of two drawers together. (Tip: Plywood can be cut to size at The Home Depot.)
3. Bolt a hairpin leg to each corner of plywood, about 2 inches in from each side, using 3/4-inch Philips flathead bolts. Countersink each bolt and secure with lock washers.
4. Upholster plywood with linen (or other desired fabric), using a staple gun to secure into place.
5. Drill pilot holes around the entire edge and across the center brace area of the plywood. Attach plywood to drawers using 1-inch finishing nails pounded into each pilot hole.
6. Using fabric adhesive, adhere twill tape to underside of table to hide cut edges of fabric and to cover up any visible nails and staples.
7. Fill compartments of table as desired and cover with a piece of 1/4-inch-thick glass cut to the appropriate dimensions.

Resources

Hairpin legs available from Hairpinlegs.com; letterpress drawers available from eBay or your local flea market or antique shop; all other tools and materials available at The Home Depot.