Side Table

Everyday we face fears. Some freeze, some panic, some tread cautiously. There are a lot of methods, techniques, guides to overcome or at least live with fear(s). When I first considered which fear to face and what to build. It was difficult to be open about a fear then explain how creating something engaged with that fear and overcame it, work through it or shin a light on it in a meaningful way.

The fear I bring before you is building and uploading a project to instructables. Why do you ask is that a fear? I have anonymity, as well as everyone else on this site. Without a name (Greek origin), people feel emboldened to say what they might not normally say, sometimes without tact. That’s uncool, mean and it hurts. I like to try new and different things; to look at something a different way. To build something and bring it out of the shadows. I don’t have money, time or skill to build flashy finished projects. I just like to explore and learn. I would like to share more, but I find difficulty in sharing when I lack resources and others lack tact.

I built this Side Table 3 yrs ago for a resin chair. I have used it almost everyday since. I enjoy very much sitting on my deck, lawn or driveway in every season; rain or shine and days in between; having a cuppa with cookies, eating lunch or just sitting staring into oblivion. The Side Table is not polished. I used scrounged materials because that’s what life gives you sometimes. I didn’t have the right tools, because that is life. I made it and it brings me comfort even happiness.

Why am I now sharing this Side Table? To say that 92% of the things we worry about (fear) never happen or out of one’s control. The remaining 8%, you will discover, was not as bad as you made it out to be and you will handled it better than you thought you could.

Maybe this instructable can help someone else see beyond their own box. Be encouraged, your ideas or skills might not as polished as others, but you can do it. You may discover, it is not as bad as you made it out to be and you can handled it better than you thought you could.

Materials:

1/2” PVC Piping,

1 – 1/2” PVC Tee, (If you don't have a 4-Way Tee.)

2 – 1/2” PVC Elbow,

1 – 1/2” PVC End Cap, (Not needed if you have a 4-Way Tee.)

Plexiglas sheet,

2 – Sheet Rock Screws,

8 – #8 x 1/2” Phillips Hex Head Screws (unnecessary, if you use PVC Cement).

I didn't provide exact dimensions on the Plexiglas and PVC piping because I am using 2nd hand materials. The overall dimensions are: Table top 8.25" by 8.75". Rail arm is 7" and the Front Post arm is 6". This fits my resin chair and I didn't want anything unwieldy, your chair and needs may be different.

Tools: (If you have a the right tool use it. These are the tools I had.)

Drill and bit,

Hacksaw,

Vice Grip Pliers,

Phillips Screwdriver or Hex Head Screwdriver (unnecessary, if you use PVC Cement),

Marker (not shown),

Tape Measure (not shown),

PVC Cement (unnecessary, if you use the hex screws),

Flat and Round Files.

I sacrificed having nice tools and needed supplies so others would have what they needed.

Measure and cut the PVC pieces to make the frame of the Side Table.

4 PVC pieces as the frame sides to hold the Plexiglas table top,

1 PVC as the vertical (front post arm) piece to attach to the resin chair,

1 PVC as the horizontal (top rail arm) piece to attach to the resin chair.

1) Assemble the Side Table frame.

2) Draw a line where the PVC will fit over the horizontal (top rail) arm of the chair.

3) Draw a line where the PVC will fit over the vertical (post) arm of the chair.

4) Lay the Plexiglas on top of the frame. Trim the Plexiglas if needed.

5) Draw a line where the edge of the Plexiglas will fit into the frame.

1) Use the Drill and Bit to make a groove along the line on the PVC pieces.

2) Take you Flat File and clean the edges and smooth out the groove.

3) Slide the PVC over the Chair arm and Plexiglas for fit. File more if needed.

4) Continue until completely assembled.

I adapted and overcame obstacles to make due with improper tools.

If you have a 4-Way Tee skip this step. I didn't have a 4-Way Tee, so I used an End Cap.

1) Drill 2 holes through the PVC End Cap into the Tee.

2) Screw the End Cap into the Tee.

I adapted the design to make due with alternative materials. In doing so the Side Table is less rigid and more durable (see Observations at the end of the instructable).

Secure the frame together. If you have PVC Cement you can use it. Alternatively, using screws you will be able to replace any piece should something break. Most everything sold today is made with built-in obsolescence in mind. We have become a disposable world. Whenever possible my builds have the ability to be repaired.

For Screws:

1) Drill through the Elbows and frame.

2) Drill a drain hole.

3) Screw the Phillips Hex Nuts to secure the frame.

4) Slide the Rail Arm and Front Post on the chair.

There is a work around for every circumstance.

Go and Enjoy your Side Table.

Observations:

The first image is after I made the Side Table April 2022. The second image is from Feb 2026.

I use this Side Table daily, it has held up well through the tests of time and elements. I designed it to fit different resin chairs, to replace the Plexiglas table top and allow water to flow off at the corners and drain from PVC pipes.

Less rigid and more durable.

Our deck is 5.5 feet from the ground, 2 weeks ago the wind blew the chair off the deck. This is a common occurrence, it happens a dozens times a year. This time the Plexiglas cracked, to answer the question, yes, after the fall the cracked piece was separated from the table top. the Side Table was designed to be repairable, but hoped it would not be needed. Even with the crack, see image #3 from Feb. 3, 2026, the Side Table is fully functional. The mug was moved over to show the crack, let me reiterate the Side Table is fully functional. Normally the mug sits on the crack when I use it. I will fix the crack at some point.

A few words about fear. Everyone is afraid of something, some disguise it. As for this fear of not measuring up. It goes back to the days when someone was too critical of something. As a young person and at that time, there was no one to talk to about what was said and what it could have meant. Over the years those feelings festered, grew and the circumstances have been forgotten. I built up defenses and walls. I am working on dismantling the defenses and walls. Everyday I get out of bed and look for the sunshine through the clouds. When those trigger words are used. I have to tell myself, about the one who uses the trigger words, they have their own defenses and walls, they may not even know what they are saying about themself.

Best success in whatever you do.

Summary

I am satisfied with the Side Table results.