Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Sawing a coffee table in half

30 replies

Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 22:35

My coffee table is far too large for my lounge. It is 47inch long and 27inch wide. 4 legs. Can I literally saw 12 inches out of the middle and glue it together? If so what glue would be best? Or any other method? Don’t care if it doesn’t look good as can cover it and make it look nice. Can’t afford a new coffee table but have got an electric saw. It seems to easy to be able to do it - what am I missing?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
GeraldTheGoodMouse · 14/08/2023 22:37

No, don't, it will look ridiculous!

What you'll end up spending on tools to sort it will cost more than a new coffee table.

An Ikea Lack table is £10!

Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 22:40

As I said I don’t care how it looks - I can make it look nice. I have made lots of furniture look nice but have never sawed anything in half 🙈
I don’t like ikea lack tables

OP posts:
ordinarybarbie · 14/08/2023 22:41

Could you saw one end off and then screw the legs back in? I think that would look better than having a join in the middle.

Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 22:41

My bedroom is currently at one end of the lounge and my lounge area at the other - I am trying to think of cheap/free ways to fit my far too big furniture fit into a smaller space

OP posts:
CyberCritical · 14/08/2023 22:44

Better option would be to sell and buy something that's the right size.

If you really want to do it then yes, cut out a section from the middle but:

It will look pretty bad though, the join even if perfect will be obvious.

titchy · 14/08/2023 22:44

I'd have thought if you saw as you suggest, then fix with wood glue, and a couple of brackets underneath, then add wood filler and sand/stain it that would work a treat.

Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 22:45

This is the table now. This is why I don’t care if it doesn’t work. Any ideas people? 🤞🏼

Sawing a coffee table in half
OP posts:
Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 14/08/2023 22:50

So are you going to cut out the middle but leave the two end sections? Are they glass or just some sort of black laminate?

if you do this and follow pp instructions for stability I would put a piece of hardboard or MDF over the whole top to make it smooth ( B&Q will cut to size for nothing.) Then you will have a smooth one piece top to work with.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 14/08/2023 22:51

I'd sell it and scout around for secondhand, FB marketplace, etc

Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 22:51

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 14/08/2023 22:50

So are you going to cut out the middle but leave the two end sections? Are they glass or just some sort of black laminate?

if you do this and follow pp instructions for stability I would put a piece of hardboard or MDF over the whole top to make it smooth ( B&Q will cut to size for nothing.) Then you will have a smooth one piece top to work with.

Yes that is what I was thinking

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 22:52

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 14/08/2023 22:51

I'd sell it and scout around for secondhand, FB marketplace, etc

I really don’t think anybody would pay £1 for it 😂 I couldn’t sell a Thomas super station in perfect condition with all the accessories for £10!

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 22:54

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 14/08/2023 22:50

So are you going to cut out the middle but leave the two end sections? Are they glass or just some sort of black laminate?

if you do this and follow pp instructions for stability I would put a piece of hardboard or MDF over the whole top to make it smooth ( B&Q will cut to size for nothing.) Then you will have a smooth one piece top to work with.

Think they are glass (the black bits) they are very heavy! If I do tip the table I am definitely going to keep them. Nothing marks them!

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 22:55

Actually scrap that - they aren’t glass. I have half pushed one out. They are very heavy though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 22:59

These are the black inserts. They are quite heavy.

Sawing a coffee table in half
OP posts:
YouAndMeAndThem · 14/08/2023 23:01

If you're trying to save space... Do you need a coffee table??

Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 23:04

I do need a coffee table - just a smaller one. We are a family of 6 (hence why my bedroom is at the other half of my long lounge which is fine we are just trying to find the best way to configure it because I deserve a little space too 😀) but we do like to play games in the lounge or put drinks /snacks down if we are watching a film together

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 23:06

Ooh would it be rude of me to give you the dimensions of my lounge tomorrow and where the door is and then ask for ideas on how best to arrange it 🙈

OP posts:
Youcunnyfunt · 14/08/2023 23:09

why don’t you cut off the middle section and on one side, the strip to the edge of the middle. If you join it with glue and supports underneath, you could paint the remaining strip in the middle (that matches the width of the strip between the black sections). White, gold, silver, whatever colour. You could use wood filler and sand the joining edges (which would be minimally obvious looking at the current design). Coloured paint would do the rest to make it look like it’s intentional design.

Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 23:11

I like that idea! Thank you!
If it doesn’t look great I haven’t lost anything and let’s be honest, it can’t look worse than what it does right now.

OP posts:
Youcunnyfunt · 14/08/2023 23:15

It would be difficult to make it look good but if you’re up for the challenge and prepared to give it a go this is what I’d do….
chop off the green bits, paint the purple bit once joined… (could match the tiles in black)

Sawing a coffee table in half
ForestDad · 14/08/2023 23:20

Yes do it. Whatever you cut out screw into the bottom below the join to strengthen. Use PVA or wood glue and clamp if possible.

What sort of electric saw do you have? To make a straight clean cut clamp a straight length of timber to act as a guide.
It won't be very strong unless you take the whole table apart and use the long pieces cut down but whole.

nameitagain · 14/08/2023 23:21

Use the piece you cut out to brace the join. Screw it on underneath.

Original poster
Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 23:24

Love the idea of using the piece I cut out to strengthen it underneath.
ok I don’t have saw 🙈 but I have friends and family with lots of saws so what sort would do the job?
thank you all - you have inspired me! If it goes wrong then so be it but I am looking forward to trying 😀

OP posts:
Diyextension · 15/08/2023 00:00

As others have said but id cut it there.

Sawing a coffee table in half
Crochetablanket · 15/08/2023 12:14

Namechanger1002 · 14/08/2023 23:06

Ooh would it be rude of me to give you the dimensions of my lounge tomorrow and where the door is and then ask for ideas on how best to arrange it 🙈

@Namechanger1002 yes do !