DIY Star Wars Inspired End Table

Hello everyone! Today I’m excited to share my latest creation: a Star Wars Inspired End Table.  This was a really exciting project to work on for three reasons:

1. It’s Star Wars Themed
2. It’s my first project with dado joints
3. It sparkles

Stay tuned for a YouTube video.  I hope to upload it my YouTube channel over the weekend.

Star Wars Themed DIY Projects

In honor of Star Wars day, I have teamed up with a few fellow bloggers to share tutorials on how to make some Star Wars inspired projects.  Please take a moment to check out each project:

• Yoda Wall Art – Hazel and Gold Designs
• Lightsaber Headboard – Mother Daughter Projects
• Wooden Star Wars Sign – Abbotts at Home

Here’s a list of my other Star Wars themed projects:

• How to build a Star Wars TIE Fighter Shelf
• TIE Fighter Shelf (The Force Awakens Edition)
• Star Wars Marquee Wall Art Tutorial
• BB-8 Push Toy
• Darth Vader Necklace
• Crochet Princess Leia Hat

DIY Star Wars Inspired End Table

Now, let’s get started!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  If you purchase an item via one of these links, I’ll receive a small commission at no added cost to you.  This helps keep the content on the site free and I appreciate the support!

Tools and Supplies

The following items are the tools and supplies I gathered to build this Star Wars themed end table.

Tools

• Router
• Homemade Router Dado Jig (tutorial coming soon!)
• 3/4″ Dado Router Bit
• Up Spiral Router Bit
• Router Circle Jig (alternatively can use a jigsaw)
• Jointer
• Planer
• Circular Saw
• Silhouette (for cutting Rebel Symbol stencil)

Supplies

• Sheet of 3/4″ Plywood (1)
• 1″ x 6″ x 8′ (1)
• Wood glue
• Glitter
• Cardstock (for Rebel stencil)
• Red acrylic craft paint
• Paint brush
• Black paint
• Stain
• Sealer
• Mod Podge
• Clear Matte Spray
• Pour-on High Gloss Finish

Cut List

Project lumber

For ease of use, I cut the plywood into manageable chunks.

• 24″ x 48″ (2) – Plywood
• 20″ x 22″ (2) – Plywood
• 1×6 – 21″ (4)

Mill the 1×6 with a jointer and a planer prior to starting step 1.  For details on that process, check out my blog post on How to Make a Wooden Cutting Board.

How to build the Star Wars End Table

I have SketchUp plans in the works. This is something I hope to make available before the weekend is up.

Step 1: Glue up the 1×6 boards

1×6 edge jointed panel

First up, create a panel with the 1×6 boards. Glue the edges and clamp the boards together. After 15 minutes have passed, use a scraper to remove excess glue from the squeeze out.  Let the glue dry completely before removing the clamps.

Step 2: Create dados

I opted for dado joints for this project because alignment critical.  I felt a dado was the best form of joinery for the project.  I whipped up a little jig for my router to create dados.  The jig was inspired by a Popular Woodworking Magazine article.  You can read about it here.

On a quarter sheet of plywood mark off the center from the short side and long side.  Create a dado along the lines. Repeat this step for the other end of the quarter sheet of plywood.

At the midpoint of the 20” x 22” pieces of plywood, create a dado on each side.

Creating dados in plywood with a router

Step 3: Cut circles

With a router and a circle cutting jig, cut out 4 circles.  (Alternatively you can use a jigsaw.)

• 20″ diameter circle with the dados (2)
• 20″ diameter circle from the 1×6 panel (1)
• 19 1/2″ diameter circle (1)

Cut the 19 1/2″ circle into quarters.

All done cutting the circles. I finished cutting the other parts of this project too. Tomorrow I’ll assemble it. Hopefully everything will fit together. . #imnervous #notfeelingoptimistic #woodworking #woodwork #woodworker #dowoodworking #circle #circles #woodencircle #plywood #pine #garage #garageshop #sundayfunday

A post shared by Ashley Grenon (@handmadewithashley) on Apr 30, 2017 at 4:51pm PDT

Step 4: Notch out the table “legs”

Find the center of the 20″ x 22″ pieces of plywood and notch out a portion of the board to make a lap joint with the other table leg.

Plywood joint

Step 5: Assemble the table base

To assemble the table base:

1. Place 1 circle with dado side up on a flat surface.
2. Attach the legs.
3. Attach the base top.
4. Insert table shelves.

Use wood glue and clamps to secure the joints.

Assembling table base

Inserting table shelves

Table base assembled!

Step 6: Paint the base, stain the top

Painting the table base

Paint the base and seal it with your favorite sealer.

Table top stained with ECOS Paints Woodshield

Stain the table top.  I used ECOS Paints Woodshield (Pine Needles).

Step 7: Paint the Rebel Symbol

I used my Silhouette to create a Rebel stencil about 16″ in diameter.

Rebel Logo stencil

I traced an outline of the symbol and painted the symbol red.  Allow the paint to dry before continuing onto the next step.

Painted the rebel symbol red

Step 8: Add glitter

Add glitter to the Rebel symbol.  I used Mod Podge to adhere the glitter the table top. Once the Mod Podge dries, seal the glitter with a coat or two of clear matte spray finish.

It’s so shiny Getting close to finishing up this project! I should have started it a week ago. This top is the 2×6 I resawed earlier. I didn’t have any issues with it warping. I think that’s probably because that scrap has been sitting my garage for many months. . #rebel #starwars #starwarscrafts #starwarscraft #geek #geekcraft #geekywoodworking #woodworking #dowoodworking #woodworker #glitter #red #rebelsymbol #starwarsday #may4th #maythe4thebewithyou #maytheforcebewithyou #diy #handmadewithashley

A post shared by Ashley Grenon (@handmadewithashley) on May 3, 2017 at 10:12pm PDT

Step 9:  Coat the top with resin

Before applying resin, try to remove as much of the loose glitter as possible.  Mix the resin according to the package instructions and apply a coat to the surface of the table top.  Allow for it to completely cure before continuing onto the next step.

Pour-on resin

Resin applied to the table top

Step 10: Attach table top to table base

Secure the table top to the table base.

Resin cured.

Top secured to the table base

Step 11: Make it spin!

This step has not been implemented yet, but it is a modification to the project that I plan on making.

Star Wars Inspired End Table

If you build this Star Wars inspired end table, please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @handmadewithashley or Twitter @handmadewithash.   I’d love to see your pictures!

DIY Star Wars Inspired End Table

DIY Star Wars Inspired End Table

DIY Star Wars Inspired End Table

Pin it!

Pin it! How to build a Star Wars Inspired End Table

I’m linkin up to:

• Kim Six Fix
• Remodelaholic
• Tater Tots and Jello

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