How to Build a Farmhouse Table

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Farmhouse tables are trending in DIY circles these days. And no wonder: They are inexpensive and can be built with a minimum of experience and a few hand tools. We used miniature scale lumber to build a "tiny" version, but you can increase the dimensions given here by a factor of 10 to create a full- sized table.

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Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Things You'll Need

  • Miniature lumber: one 4 x 4, four 2 x 4s, five 2 x 8s, one 2 x 10

  • Miniature screws

  • Wood glue

  • Tape measure

  • Square

  • Pocket-hole jig

  • Pipe clamps

  • Portable drill

  • Circular saw

  • Sander

Step 1: Cut The Lumber

Cut the following pieces of lumber:

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4 - 4 x 4, 2.9 inches (Legs)

2 - 2 x 4, 6.7 inches (Long aprons)

2 - 2 x 4, 2.7 inches (Short aprons)

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1 - 2 x 4, 7.4 inches (Stretcher)

2 - 2 x 4, 3.4 inches (Stretcher supports)

4 - 2 x 8, 7.05 inches (Table top planks)

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1 - 2 x 10, 7.05 inches (Center table top plank)

2 - 2 x 8, 3.8 inches (Breadboards)

Image Credit: Debbie Williams
Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Step 2: Cut the Notches

Set the saw to cut .15 inches deep. Measure down .6 inches from the top edge of the 4 x 4 legs. Make a second mark .35 inches further down the leg. (This is the nominal size of the 4 x 4 timber.)

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Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Make a cut with the circular saw at the top mark, at the bottom mark, and several cuts in between.

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Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Using a chisel, remove the material between the top and bottom cuts.

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Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Repeat for all four legs. Cut notches in the center of the 2 x 4 stretcher supports.

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Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Step 3: Cut the Pocket-holes

Using a pocket-hole jig, cut pockets on each end of the short aprons and the long aprons. Additionally, cut pocket-holes along the top edge of all four apron pieces.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams
Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Step 4: Assemble the Base

Lay out the table ends by placing a notched stretcher support in the notches between two of the 4 x 4 legs. Drill pilot holes and drive screws to attach the stretcher support to the legs. (These screws will show. If you plan on staining the base, place them accordingly. Repeat for the opposite end.)

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Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Attach the short apron to the table leg ends, making sure the pockets are facing toward the inside and the top edge.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Check to make sure the assembly is square.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Attach the long aprons between the two end pieces, check for square again and make adjustments if necessary.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Attach the long stretcher between the two ends. Drill pilot holes and drive screws to attach the stretcher to the end frames.

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Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Step 5: Assemble the Table Top

Lay out the table top planks. Drill the pockets in the back side of the planks following the diagram.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams
Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Place the 2 x 10 plank in the center. Apply a layer of wood glue to the edges of both planks. Lay the planks on a flat surface and clamp them tight. Drive the pocket screws into place.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams
Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Keep adding planks to each side of the 2 x 10 until you have the tabletop assembled.

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Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Sand or plane the ends of the tabletop to be create a straight, flat surface.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Measure the width of the tabletop and cut the two breadboards from the remaining 2 x 8. Drill the pocket-holes and attach the breadboards to each end of the table top in the same manner you used to create the tabletop.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Sand the table top and the table base.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Step 6: Finish the Farmhouse Table

Paint or stain the frame in a color of your choice.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Attach the table top to the table base by driving pocket screws through the apron pockets and into the table top.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Turn the table upright and apply a finish of your choice.

Image Credit: Debbie Williams

Enjoy your favorite meal on a table you made with your very own hands!

Image Credit: Debbie Williams
Image Credit: Debbie Williams

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