In this episode, I experiment using my 18 volt RYOBI tile saw to cut stone tile from the Home Depot into a faceted top for a small coffee table. I'm always interested in introducing new materials and for a long time have wanted to add marble and slate to the list of materials that I'm comfortable working with. This project is really easy and the materials are surprisingly inexpensive. The result is a marble table with a faceted, geometric top that's made from real stone!

SUPPLIES:

Marble Tiles
Available at the Home Depot
I bought some 12x24 white marble tiles from the Home Depot that cost about $5 a square foot. I prefer stone tile to porcelain or ceramic since the material is solid and the edges are the same as the surface.

Liquid Nails
Available at the Home Depot
Liquid nails is a construction adhesive that's super strong.

Ikea Shelf Brackets
Available at IKEA
I used white metal shelf brackets from IKEA, but hairpin legs, pipes or wood would also be great options!

TOOLS:

RYOBI 18 Volt Tile Saw
Available at Home Depot







RYOBI 18 Volt Cordless Drill
Available at Home Depot








RYOBI Orbital Sander
Available at Home Depot

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Set Up
The tile saw has a water reservoir that drips water onto the blade and material. The water dripping keeps the dust down and the blade cool, but can make a wet mess. I used a concrete mixing tray and a couple of 2x8s to make a cutting station that to catch the drips.



STEP 2: Cut the Tile
I marked the shape I wanted on the tile and slowly moved the saw through the stone. It's important not to push too hard and fast. Let the blade do the work.





STEP 3: Check Your Water Levels
I made quite a few cuts, so I had to refill the water reservoir and change the batteries on the saw about halfway through the project.





STEP 4: Round the Edges
I used a 60 grit drum sander attachment on my cordless drill to round the edges of the marble.





STEP 5: Sand Smooth
I used 220 grit paper on my orbital sander to smooth the sides and the rounded over edges.





STEP 6: Glue on the Legs
I used liquid nails construction adhesive to glue the legs to the bottom of the marble tile and clamps to hold the legs in place while the glue dried.







STEP 7: Remove the Clamps
After letting the adhesive cure for a few hours, I took off the clamps and flipped the table over. This project was really easy and has gotten great reactions on social media for its geometric aesthetic.









Good luck making your own geometric marble coffee table and please email, tweet or hashtag photos to @benuyeda, ben@homemade-modern.com or #homemademodern. For more detailed instructions, dimensioned drawings and different variations of the project, check out our soon-to-be-released book.

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