Nintendo End Table ( N-End Table)

UPDATE
More Coats added and Pictures Uploaded
General Safety Tips Step added

Okay, so back to business.
If you have ever used a Nintendo 64 you know the original Nintendo logo. I have wanted to build this table for quite some time but have always had some things come up.

My intent for this table is to have a glass top and to be used for holding games. The shelves are wide enough to hold Nintendo 64 games and nick-nacs  but not wide enough to hold PS3 or X360 game cases.
The doors are completely removable and held the in place by magnets. The magnets I used are strong enough to hold the door firmly in place. I was able to pick up and move the table from my garage to my room without any of the doors falling off.

If you like this project please vote for it. Thank you.

Here are just some general safety tips to keep in mind during the project

When working with a large amount of saw dust you should either where a mask or attach a vacuum to your currently tools
Work in a well ventilated area when working with fumes or sprays (spray paint)
Where hear protection when working with heavy machinery for extended periods.
Do not where gloves when working with spinning power tools because cloth can be easily caught
Always know where the blade and your hands are.
Obvious but often ignored. Don't drink and use power tools.

While making this project I didn't have all the tools that I wanted either because of lack of money or garage space. If you have some suggestions on the correct technique or a better tool
please write a comment and I will give you credit add it to the final slide. This was my first build and I plan to do it again and make improvements. Thank You in Advance.


Materials
1/2 in MDF board 2ft by 4ft (3x)
1.4 in MDF board 2ft by 4ft (1x)
48 5mm magnets (get a few extras. I bought mine at a flea market for 30 for a dollar. )
Spray Paint
       Primer, Yellow, Cheery Red, Emerald Green, True Blue (I used glossy)
Optional
   Bondo
   Squeegee

Tools
Table Saw
Orbital Sander
Drill
Sand Paper
Wood Glue
Masking Tape (Full Roll, Wider Better)
Clamps(The More The Better) Bar, Parallel, Quick Release
     I used all three because that is what I had on hand)

Time and Patience

General Dimensions
Height 20''
Width 20''

I understand what I did, and it make since to me but I have a poor time explaining myself to others. So if you have any questions post a comment and I will try to better explain myself.

This project is relatively easy and could probably be completed in a weekend.
Almost everything I did was on the table saw.

Using your 1/2 MDF boards cut
(16x) 5.25'' wide 20'' long strips (Vertical Legs)
(8x) 5.75 wide 22+''long strips (for now it will be too long you will cut length in a moment) (Diagonal Pieces)
Take these pieces and cut 53 degree angle on one side.
Once you are further into the project you will shorten the length and add 53 degree angle cut to the end.

Using your 1/4 MDF board cut
(4x) 4.75 wide 22+'' long strips (for now it will be too long you will cut length in a moment) (Tops for Diagonal Pieces)
(Depends on how many shelves you want) 4.75'' by 4.75'' squares (shelves and supports for Diagonal pieces)



Each leg is made of 4 long strips and 5 squares.
Each Diagonal Pieces has two sides and a top. You can add a bottom I didn't because it so low to the ground and I added a secret compartment in mine.

Prep Work
Clean off an area that can be left undisturbed for a couple of hours.
Lay down newspaper because this next step could get messy.


Each leg is made of 4 long strips and 5 squares.

In order to make the leg I glued three of 5.75''by 20'' strips together and put a shelve piece every 4''.
See Diagram for better description.

Add glue to all touching edges.
Use claps to hold the box together.
Prefer to use at least 3 one at each end and one in the middle.
DO NOT over tighten clamps or you could have bowing.
CHECK that all edges are flush or nearly flush with each side.
DO NOT glue down a fourth long piece if you want it to be removeable

I wanted these doors to be removable while also being strong enough to be held in place.
I did not want to use a hinge in this kind of wood because I felt it would be to flimsy.
I have a surplus of magnets small earth magnet so I tried these and they worked perfectly.
In each door there are 6 sets of magnet pairs.
3 sets securing the door to the right and 3 sets securing the door to the front.

The magnet sets are placed ever 5'' in the vertical post.
I added the magnets by first drilling a hole slightly deeper than the height of the magnet and wider than diameter of the magnet.
I filled the hole with glue, placed the magnet, pushed it down so it was flush with the board and wiped away the excess glue. Repeat
After you have completed the process with the door repeat the process with the box. The location of the magnets should line up when you place the door on the box.

MAKE SURE that you put the magnet pairs opposite one another. If the magnet end sticking out the door is North, the magnet end sticking out of the box should be South. Otherwise it will never close.

Diagonal Piece Construction
Once the sides and top pieces are glued together you will notice an edge needs to be chamfered. 
I tried to cut this on the table saw but this is 37 degree angle and the table saw has a range of 90 to 45 degrees.
Again this is new to me correct me if there is a better method.
I used a orbital sander and took this edge off ever diagonal piece. The board is only 1/4'' thick and it sands away very quickly.

Now your ready to start putting it all together.
The approach that I found the easiest was to build two N's. Once each were dry I stood them up straight and added an diagonal piece between them.

Take this step slow and allow the pieces to dry thoroughly. You will only cause yourself trouble if you rush this step. You will have more gaps, sanding, and unlevel top if not dried correctly.

Unless you're an excellence cut you will have a few gaps in between your joints.
These joints will be highly unfashionable if unintended so we are going to take care of them now.
This was my first wood project so I was trying some different thing when filling in the gaps.
I tried mixing saw dust and wood glue spreading it into the cracks. This worked at first but after a while it got to be a little messy and hard to handle.
Wood filler was OK but expensive.
Eventually my dad suggested bondo from Auto zone.
It is used for filling car damage and it goes on smooth and can be primed and painted.
For a couple of bucks it worked well.
It was going to be sanded down and painted so I wouldn't see it so I didn't mind using it.

Ok this step is going to be time a little time consuming as well.
Just take your time and walk away and allow the each coat to fully dry.


Clean off the table first. If you have one I used an air compressor and blew all the dust off the table.
First Prime the entire project with 3-4 coats of primer.
Tape off the area where you will be spraying the yellow.
You do not need to cover the whole project unless your a really bad aim or overly cautious.
I sprayed lightest to darkest so if I sprayed in places where I shouldn't it would soon be covered up.

Next spray on the yellow with enough layers where you are comfortable with the color. Numbers of layers depend on thickness of layers.
After an hour or two once the paint is safe to touch completely cover the yellow with masking tape and continue onto the next color, red.
Continue this process until all colors are added.


Directions for using spray paint
Shake can 1-2 minutes & during use.
Test spray in an inconspicuous area for compatibility.
Hold can 6''-8'' from surface, spray in sweeping motion motion side to side with slightly overlap.
Apply multiple thin coats, wait 1 minute between each coat.
Dry in 10 minutes or less. Apply additional coats within 1 hour or after 24.
Clean up: To prevent clotting hold can upside down outside and spray until clear. (2-3 secs)

The colors on the spray paint are not completely filled in on this picture. I plan to go back and and do a few more coats but I wanted to enter this into one of the contests. I am a long time follower of this instructables and have just started to make some of my very own. The voting rules have recently changed and I feel into order to have a place in the completion I needed to upload mine now. I will add a few more coats and update my pictures once I'm finished.

I have no doubt once I add another coat or two this will be an excellent addition to my room or yours.

Remember if you like this project please vote for it. Thank you.

Suggestions and Extras
Add a secret compartment underneath the diagonal pieces
Add a tier system inside the shelve so that you can see multiple layers of games at once
Paint or add stickers to the inside