DIY Network

Ductwork Side Table This metal table makes your room shine. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-308

Make this sleek side table.

What could make a better cocktail or side table than sophisticated metal? Designer metal tables can cost a fortune in boutiques, but you can have one for less thanks to this easy how-to from Michele Beschen. The B. Original host breaks out the ductwork to craft a sleek little table you'll love.

Michele Beschen makes this table from simple ductwork pieces, plus a sheet of plywood for strength and stability. Scroll down to see how she does it, and get ready to B. Original with some ductwork of your own.

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Ductwork Side Table

Materials:

plenum
plywood
foil tape
sharp utility knife
contact adhesive (optional)
nails
hammer
4 pieces of straight vent pipe, 24" long and 4" in diameter
4 round T caps, 4" in diameter
4 round duct camps, 4" in diameter
drill or rotary tool
drill bit for use with metals
drywall screws, 1-5/8" long
rubber O rings
contact adhesive or silicone caulk

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Purchase a plenum, which will serve as the tabletop. These can be a little expensive; try calling a heating and cooling company to buy a leftover piece.

• The plenum is pretty, but won't bear much weight. To support it, cut a piece of 3/4" plywood the same size as the plenum.

• Wrap the edges of the plywood with foil tape to cover exposed edges and blend with the metal look of the overall piece. Slit the tape corners with a sharp knife and fold it neatly to the underside of the table – like hospital corners on a bed (figure A).

• Slide the plenum over the top of the plywood, flip the plenum and plywood over and secure the plenum with nails (figure B). Drill a pilot hole through the metal to get the nail started. You also can use contact adhesive to glue the plenum to the wood.

• The table legs will be built from straight pipe sections. If the pipe comes unrolled, simply roll it back and click one edge into the channel on the other edge.

• Place the T caps on a piece of scrap wood and drill two holes in each (figure C).

• Lay the tabletop face down and place a T cap at each corner, with the open end toward the table. Use 1-5/8" drywall screws cushioned by rubber O rings to screw each T cap to the table, driving each screw flush with the cap (figure D).
  

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  

  Figure F

• Duct caps often have a little bump in the center, which will prevent the table leg from sitting steady. Use a rubber mallet and flat surface to hammer the bumps flat (figure E).

• Run a bead of contact adhesive or silicone caulk around the outer edge of one of the T caps and slide a leg over the cap. Run another bead of adhesive around the inside of the duct cap and slip it over the end of the leg (figure F). Repeat for the other three legs, let the glue set up and you're ready to serve!