How do I Build a Shipping Crate for a Dining Room Table?

The dining room table is the centerpiece of many homes. There are numerous companies that specialize in crating furniture, but they charge a considerable amount of money for this service. You can build your own shipping crate for that priceless dining room table by using a few basic woodworking tools and inexpensive lumber. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1



The table legs can be removed to make shipping easier.

Examine the underside of the table to see if it can be separating into smaller pieces. Many tables are designed so the table top can be separated from the legs or supports. By separating the table into smaller sections, the size of the packing crate can be reduced. Smaller crates require less lumber, which saves money. Since crate size is also considered in the shipping costs, money is saved there as well.

2

Disassemble the dining room table. Most tables will have two to four screws holding each leg or support to the table top. Use either a standard or Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws. Place the screws in a container to keep them from getting lost. Place the table top on the floor after disassembling it. Lay the legs or supports on top of the table after wrapping them in newspaper. The legs or supports should be parallel with the table's surface.

3



Many tables are one of a kind and cannot be replaced.

Measure the length and width of the table, adding an extra three inches on each side. The extra three inches allows room for the crates interior supports and additional packing material to hold the crate's contents in place. Measure the height of the legs or supports, plus the table top. Make sure that the legs or supports are as flat as they can be against the table top. Write down the measurements. The crate will consist of six sides. Calculate the amount of plywood needed based on the measurements and the number of pieces needed.

4

Cut the plywood into the six sides, based on the measurements. Use low quality, unfinished exterior plywood to save money. The plywood should be 1/2 inch thick. The six pieces of plywood will fit together to form the crate. To add support to the crate, cut four pieces of 2 inch by 4 inch framing lumber to a size equal to the longest length of the crate. If the longest side of the crate is 60 inches in length, the four pieces of framing lumber should also be 60 inches in length.

5

Assemble the crate using 1 1/2 inch long nails. Start by nailing the framing lumber to the inner edge of the crate's top and bottom panels. These panels are the largest two panels of the six used to build the crate. There should be two strips of framing lumber on each panel, on opposite sides of one another. Once these are in place, assemble the side panels by nailing them onto the framing lumber supports. Leave side panel off the crate in order to insert the disassembled table. Add crumpled newspaper into the crate as padding. After the table is inside the crate, nail the top on and the project is complete.