Farm Table Contemporary

Submitted by breaden on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 02:16

Inspired by some of Ana's examples and working with the Kreg jig I recently purchased, I put my own spin on the farm table, which will be our new dining room table.  It's seven feet and will seat 8.  I special ordered the legs from a local lumber store, since it's otherwise near impossible to find untreated 4x4s.  However, I got two 8-foot 4x4s for only $9 apiece, which I think's a pretty good deal.  The top I made using a biscuit joiner, since the boards (2 1x10s and 2 1x12s) were really too wide to join with pocket screws (or are they? has anyone joined this size with pocket screws?).  I may have over-engineered the corner braces but I will say the thing seems solid as a rock, there is no sway.  I used hanger bolts to attach the legs to the braces, which may have been going overboard. I was again convinced that the miter saw may be the best invention ever, but was also glad for the tools I accumulated in my past life (i.e., before having kids put a stop on these sorts of projects for several years).  I plan to finish with Watco Danish Oil (probably a mix of their cherry and natural tints).  I'm very pleased with the results, and thanks to Ana for convincing me I could do it.

 

Pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/cr.....directlink

tnslb

Sat, 11/06/2010 - 02:54

It's beautiful, I love it!  I love the along-the-way pics, and especially the family sitting on it :)  Well done!

mairanellis

Sat, 11/06/2010 - 13:13

It looks great!  I like the extra work you put into the corner braces.  Looks like you've built a table that will withstand a lifetime of use.

breaden

Sun, 11/07/2010 - 01:42

Thanks for the nice comments.  I've already got a colleague at work asking me to make her one!

silky

Sun, 11/07/2010 - 05:01

This is one amazing table. Great work! I hope you post more pics when it's totally finished.

suzieandjesse

Tue, 11/09/2010 - 09:46

Man, that's a great-looking table.  So clean and simple.

 

Well done!

Tsu Dho Nimh

Tue, 11/09/2010 - 16:15

You could have pocket-screwed the top boards - with a bit of glue along the edges it would be as smooth as biascuit-joined and not have to cut biscuit holes and clamp till the glue dries.

breaden

Wed, 11/10/2010 - 01:08

I'll definitely try using the pocket screws with glue next time I need a wide top on something.  It will simplify things.  I like the biscuit join, and it's very strong given the fact the biscuits actually expand in their slots, but keeping the boards trued up during clamping (I used pipe clamps) is a challenge, as they can easily tilt off axis until the glue dries.  Thanks for the advice.

hammertime

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 12:03

This is really beautiful.  I am so impressed.  I loved the photo of your wife & kids on top of it. Smile  You have created something that your family will grow up around, tell stories around, make memories and play games...even argue (once they're teenagers!)  I am struck by how special this is.  Something that could never be purchased in a store.

sawdustmomma

Wed, 11/17/2010 - 18:51

Oh that is just beautiful!!! I want to build a Farm table so badly now!