Farmhouse Table by hubby, kids and I

I like the table, but how do you attach the breadboard ends to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood? How did you flatten such a large tabletop with all those knots? Did you use a super-industrial flatbed sander or did you just use hand planes?

Gorgeous table!

It turned out really nice. I have some of the same questions as above (for all types of projects large expanses of joined up wood).

Does wood expansion and contraction cause any problems with wood attached with the Kreg Jig?

How do you get things smooth when joining up several pieces of wood? Are you using a belt sander? Just letting things end up where they may? Hand planes?

A big industrial planer is out for us. We don't have the room and I don't have the expertise. I'm hoping the planing/sanding is simple and easy, since I am way new to all this!

I'm not sure, but I *think* there is going to be a Kreg Jig and some wood coming my way for my birthday next month! I am so excited I could just scream (but I'll still act surprised LOL).

OK, sorry to just go crazy with a long post here. Your table looks wonderful! You guys did a great job!

There are no wood movement problems along the long pieces, Those will expand and contract together. You can get problems with the cross piece on the ends.

As far as leveling the pieces, it's generally not done with this kind of furniture. But if you decided that it did need to be level, hand planes are the only good solution. I just did a table top, and it was moderately strenuous, but it didn't kill me, and it's very nice now.

If you want to learn how to do it, there are good books and videos on hand tools that discuss it. I grabbed Hand Tool Essentials as well as looking at a couple of good online videos from Chris Schwarz.

Thank you for the kudos!

To answer some of the questions - there is a small gap at each end where the breadboards are attached that should allow for some expanding and contracting. As for finishing the top, we did not use a planer, just a palm sander. We were going for the rustic look, so the small imperfections give it some of that character we were trying for. After sanding we just put a couple coats of poly - the color of the natural wood with poly perfectly matched the chairs we had, which made it easy!

Thanks, Nicole!

Your table really turned out beautifully. I love a bit of a rustic/cottage-y vibe, so I'm glad to hear that a palm sander did the trick. I'm not too intimidated by a palm sander, so that's another bonus.

You guys did a great job!

First of all, this looks great! I am going to attempt to build one. Two questions at least for now....
1) How long is your table? Unless you have narrow chairs, I don't see how 4 chairs would fit comfortably on the sides.

2) Where did you get your chairs? They also look great with the table.

Again, Great Job!!

TC