To begin the frame, first gather your supplies and tools together. Recommended tools include:
- work table or woodworking bench
- drill with bits and Phillips head screw driver attachment
- jig saw with ripping or all-purpose blade
- circular saw
- tape measure
- pencil or marker
- hammer (optional)
- at least two clean plastic buckets and a scale, which you will need later for the plaster.
This project will go much easier if you can recruit another person to be your helper. If no one is available, I'd highly recommend you use a good woodworking bench that can clamp onto the lumber as you work with it.
Carefully measure then cut all your 2 x 4 lumber into the correct lengths using the circular saw. If you have spikes of wood left on the ends, I recommend you knock them off with the hammer. As you cut the lengths, mark on each piece how long it is. (This will help avoid confusion as you work.) Make other marks as needed to show adjoining pieces (see photo).
If you look at the diagram again, you'll see two of the wall 2 x 4's are bracketed by the other two wall 2 x 4's. For the moment, set aside the longer set of wall pieces.
On two of the legs, mark three points for screws, making sure to keep them within the area of the wall 2 x 4 they will be joined to. Using a drill bit that is a bit smaller than the wood screws, drill pilot holes all the way through the wood at those points.
Once both legs have been drilled, screw three 3" wood screws through the holes of each leg so that about an 1/8 inch of the tips come out the other side of the wall.
Place the top of the first leg in place on the end of the wall piece. Tap down with the hammer to create indentations, which mark where the screws will enter the wood. Do the same at the other end of the wall piece with the other leg. Drill shallow pilot holes, about one half to one inch deep, where you have marked the indentations.
Spread wood glue on one end of the drilled wall piece. Set the leg piece on it, matching screws to pilot holes. Screw the leg to the wall. Repeat with the second leg.
Repeat the entire process with the other shorter wall piece and remaining two legs.
Mark three screw holes on each end of the longer wall pieces, so that they will go into the side of the legs. Drill pilot holes all the way through, set the screw in, mark the legs so you can make the pilot holes in the leg, then drill the shallow pilot holes.Spread glue on the wall were the two pieces will meet, then screw the legs in place.
At this point, you should have the legs and walls attached to each other. The table begins to take shape.