I've been wanting to get the beginner crowd a VERY simple, inexpensive farm table plan for years now. Just because you aren't an expert woodworker with a zillion tools doesn't mean you can't still start somewhere, right?
Well, I finally got my chance!
We are moving into the new house, but with so many, many functional projects to tackle (like closets and pantry cabinets), a beautiful dining table is way down on the priority list. But still, I insisited we need a dining table to move in. Once you give in to the kids eating on the couch, you're done ... or at the very least have to be the bad guy and retrain the family.
So I gave myself three criteria for a new somewhat temporary dining table -
Must cost less than $50 in lumber
Must be done in an afternoon
Can only use 2 tools - a drill and a saw (since most beginners don't have a Kreg Jig yet - and I do stress yet)
This is what I came up with -
And here's how it went down -
I purchased 6 - 2x4s and 6 - 2x6s in stud length.
The 2x6s are for the tabletop boards, and since they are all precut exactly the same at stud length, I set them aside - no cutting required. My table will be 92-5/8" (standard stud length) long.
There's only 12 cuts on the entire table, and it's all the 2x4s.
I used a compound miter saw. You can use a circular saw or jigsaw, but do make sure your cuts are very good and straight.
Cutting done, time to build!
For attaching, I'm using 2-3/4" self tapping screws. You'll need about 100. Bonus - these are exterior screws, so I could use my table outdoors too.
Alrighty ... let's build already!
I used scrap pieces of 1x boards to elevate the horizontal boards on the legs. Then I just screwed from the outside.
Two leg sets done!
Then I flipped everything over and added the side aprons. One trick is I will screw at an angle (kinda like a pocket hole screw) in opposite directions, so if the table is wobbled at all, the screws dig in from opposite directions.
Then I flipped everything back over and checked for square.
Way out - like over an inch.
So I pushed the two shorter diagonal corners together until the two diagonals matched.
Then I added the bottom stretcher. The ends overhang 3/4" - be careful that your legs are square when you add the stretcher.
The middle support piece keeps the aprons from spreading, and also give you something to attach the tabletop boards too.
Now for the top - I like to start in the middle and work outward. So I find the middle on both ends,
And then I attached the 2x6 studs to the top with screws. I am careful about screw placement so it looks good in the end.
NOTE: Since we aren't joining tabletop boards together edge to edge, there may be a small gap between boards. You can fill with silicone after final finish, or use a Kreg Jig to build your tabletop first, then attach.
I was going for a rustic real wood look, but decided to sand to take splinters and rough patches out. I started with an 80 grit and finished with a 120 grit.
Danish Oil is a color and finish in one, so all you need is one coat! You can go back and further seal the table (or just the tabletop) if you so desire.
Love this! I need to make some custom bench seating for a "tiny" space mountain condo and would love to see the plans for the benches as well. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for the video instructions and the plans. Mine turned out beautiful and I have received a ton of complements. I am proud to have built it myself and it looks amazing in our new home!
Comments
clangardner3
Mon, 09/11/2017 - 13:13
Bench Plans?
Love this! I need to make some custom bench seating for a "tiny" space mountain condo and would love to see the plans for the benches as well. Thank you so much!
In reply to Bench Plans? by clangardner3
Ana White
Mon, 09/11/2017 - 14:16
Thank you I will have the
Thank you I will have the bench plans out this week for you.
Sounds like you have quite an interesting project!
YOOPER1985.
Thu, 03/26/2020 - 09:52
I made a workbench with 3/4…
I made a workbench with 3/4 maple 4' x 8'from lowes. Could also be good for table top. Il have try this table soon
Lbennett
Mon, 09/11/2017 - 20:09
Farmhouse benches
I too love love love this and can't wait for the bench plans! ❤️❤️❤️
ljrandall
Tue, 09/12/2017 - 09:15
Harvey Furniture
This looks like the perfect plan for my Girl Scout troop. They are hoping to build some simple Harvey Furniture to give to families that flooded.
Would you modify plans at all if the table were only 6'? I like the larger table, be we'll need them to be inexpensive, and transportable.
In reply to Harvey Furniture by ljrandall
Ana White
Tue, 09/12/2017 - 11:03
What a great idea!
What a great idea!
I'd buy 2x6 x 12' long for the tabletop boards and simply cut in half.
All other boards are the same, except take 20" off the 2x4 stretcher and long apron cuts.
Good luck!
jordanmichelle
Sun, 08/04/2019 - 16:53
What about the bench ? My…
What about the bench ?
My husband and I would love to make this table at 6 feet too, what changes should we make to the bench plan?
09cydney
Wed, 09/09/2020 - 05:06
I love this table! We just…
I love this table! We just purchased a new home and plan to build the 6ft size this weekend. Are there bench plans that account for the smaller size?
Drew Layman
Sun, 09/17/2017 - 13:16
Silicone
What is the clear silicone for in this plan? Thanks!!
Ahuff9103
Wed, 12/13/2017 - 06:28
Thank you!
Thank you so much for the video instructions and the plans. Mine turned out beautiful and I have received a ton of complements. I am proud to have built it myself and it looks amazing in our new home!