How to Make a Wooden Farm Table

The farm table is an American tradition. They were often built by the families who intended to use them--not by cabinetmakers--resulting in a simple but strongly constructed piece of furniture tailored to individual needs. Almost anyone with simple woodworking skills can build one.

The six-foot farm table described here follows that tradition. It is built from standard dimension pine lumber, using simple butt joinery and box nails. Screws may be substituted if desired, but box nails suit this rustic style. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Attach one of the side rails to two of the legs. The top edge of the side rail will be even with the top of the legs, and it will form a 90-degree angle with the sides of the legs. Spread a layer of glue between the leg and rail where they overlap, and use three box nails to secure each end of the rail to a leg. The nails should not form a straight line with each other; stagger them, to reduce the possibility of splitting the wood. Use the damp cloth to remove any glue that squeezes out of the joint.
When assembled, the side rail and legs should form a U-shape.

2

Repeat process with another side rail and the remaining two legs. Allow both sets of legs to dry.

3

Attach one of the leg assemblies to a side rail. The end rail should be positioned closest to the end of the long rail, so that the rails appear to wrap around the legs. Again, apply a layer of glue between the long side rail and leg assemblies where they overlap, then use three box nails (staggered, as before) to secure the rail to the leg and use the damp cloth to remove excess glue.

4

Repeat this procedure with the other leg assembly, then attach the other long side rail to the leg assemblies. When this is complete, the four rails will form a frame supported by four legs.

5

Attach the remaining 2x4 rail as a support for the top. This rail will fit inside the frame, approximately halfway between the leg assemblies. Spread a layer of glue on the cut ends of this rail, fit it into the frame, and drive two box nails through each of the side rails into the ends of this support. Remove excess glue with the damp cloth. Allow this entire frame-and-legs assembly to dry.

6

Use the measuring tape to find the center point on each of the end rails, and mark each rail with the pencil. Place two of the table top boards together on top of the frame, aligning the joint between them over the pencil marks. Place three box nails (staggered) through each board into the end rails and the center support, for a total of nine nails per board. Continue to add boards and nail them to the frame until the top is complete.

7

Sand as necessary and finish the table with the wood stain of your choice, using the applicator.