Outdoor Table With Ice Cooler Box

by Janice Anderssen

Here's a great project you can do in a weekend using supplies that you will find at your local hardware store. This outdoor table has a built-in ice cooler to keep all your summer refreshments cold on hot, hot days.

The rectangular, plastic plant containers are perfect as ice boxes for your summer refreshments outdoors on the patio or by the pool, and the table is designed that you can easily hide the ice box when not in use.

When you don't need to use the table for cold refreshments, buy two plastic plant containers and fill one with colourful plants.

YOU WILL NEED:

8 of 94 x 1800mm PAR pine cut to lengths:

- 6 of 94 x 1200mm PAR pine - top slats*

- 2 of 94 x 1334mm PAR pine - long aprons

- 2 of 94 x 530mm PAR pine - short aprons - trimmed to fit - short aprons

- 2 of 94 x 520mm PAR pine - slat supports

2 of 67 x 600mm PAR pine - trimmed to fit - top end slats

2 of 32 x 32 x 1800mm PAR pine cut to lengths:

- 1 of 32 x 32 x 1800mm PAR pine - cut to fit - container supports

- 8 of 32 x 32mm leg supports

1 of 67 x 67 x 1800mm PAR pine - cut into 4 sections for legs

Plastic plant container 180 x 595mm

Wood glue

Wood filler - to match finished stain

Screws, 35mm and 40mm

TOOLS:

Drill / Driver plus assorted bits

Jigsaw, circular saw or table saw

Kreg Pockethole jig

Orbital sander plus 120- and 240-grit sanding pads

*The two centre slats are cut to allow for fitting the plastic container. If you are unable to source a container exactly the same size you will need to adjust the length to accommodate whatever size container you have.

1. It is surprisingly easy to join the slats together using a Kreg pockethole jig. Simply use the jig to make holes along the length of each slat, approximately 6 holes per slat with one hole about 50mm from the edges.

2. Also drill holes along the edge of the slats and along one edge of the table ends to be able to join these sections together.

3. Use 30mm screws to join all the sections together. Don't overtighten the screws to prevent splitting the wood, since pine is soft. Even without any wood glue the pockethole jig provides extremely tight and strong joins.

4. The two slats that make up the lid are also joined using a pockethole jig. To disguise the holes fill with wood filler. Select a colour that matches the finished colour of the table.

5. Screw the slat supports over the width of the joined slats using 30mm screws. Although not essential, these supports will add extra support - you never know who might want to sit on the table !

6. The next step involves adding a support frame for the plastic (plant) container. As mentioned previously, if you are unable to source a container that is the same size you can either modify the two centre slats, or change the size of the supports that hold the container. To make the support frame using the 32 x 32mm pine I used my router table to cut a rebate that is equal in height and width as the top of the plastic container. This will allow the container to sink below the surface of the table and the lid be placed on top.

7. The support frame is mounted to overhang inside the opening and is attached underneath the table top. Test fit the container within the supports and then mount the support frame to the underside of the slatted top using 40mm screws along the length.

8. Now you can complete the table top by adding the long and short aprons. Unfortunately both the side planks were slightly warped - one more than the other. To remedy this I added a few more pocketholes along the length to be able to pull the planks straight. It made it easier to screw the two end holes in place first and then have someone push the warped boards straight while I secured the remaining holes.

9. Measure the length of the short aprons and trim to fit. These are also attached to the underside of the slatted top and the long aprons with pocketholes.

10. Make sure the legs are exactly the same length... measure twice and then again for a table that doesn't wobble! Secure the legs using the small blocks. Screw the blocks to the underside of the top and to the leg.

Finishing

After sanding I finished the table with my new favourite product... Woodoc Water Borne Deck in Teak. This product is super easy to use and dries fast, plus it uses water borne technology rather than solvent as a carrier, which means it is eco-friendly

Start with the underside of the table and the legs, making sure to apply liberally to the bottom of the legs and cut edges, as these absorb product quickly. Follow the instructions on the container, applying three coats in total.

Follow the instructions on the container, applying three coats of woodoc water borne outdoor deck sealer in total. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next coat. A light sanding is recommended between the first and second coat. Turn over the table and start with the apron and then the end strips.

When applying to the support frame use a dabbing motion on the edge to prevent staining the top. Smooth along the grain to even out.

After sanding the wood filler, apply Woodoc to the lid section.

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Frequently asked questions

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1 question

Rhonda on Jun 20, 2020

Is there a way to convert this to inches???

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2 of 36 comments

Marsharie M on May 23, 2016
This is wonderful! I would even use it indoors and the center compartment could hide the remotes.

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Sandy Hartnett on Jun 12, 2016
Wonderful idea and beautiful as well! Hugs

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