The farm table is a classic piece of American furniture. Developed from more classic European designs, the farm table was first simplified by American craftsmen, then turned into a true form of folk art by the relatively unskilled farmers who built their own. While there are many ornate farm tables in existence, it is these unadorned versions that have become synonymous with the word "country." Because of this, almost anyone can build an acceptable farm table. Does this Spark an idea?
Legs
While the legs of a farm table can be round or even elaborately turned on a lathe, it is quite common to see simple square legs. The legs may have a slight taper on the two inside surfaces, leaving the outsides of the legs untouched. This effect is easily achieved with a table saw and a simple jig that holds the leg at an angle.
Some legs, whether square or round, are made larger at the top where they connect to the farm table's frame. This is merely a form of ornamentation, but it can add quite a bit to an otherwise plain table.
Although it is not traditional, levelers or pads may be put on the bottoms of the legs to prevent the table from sliding on or scarring delicate floor finishes.
Frame
A frame is typically an open box made of two end pieces and two long side pieces. A fifth member is a crosspiece placed across the center; this is a support for the boards that make up the farm table's top.
The legs of the simplest tables are connected to the inside of the frame with nails. Farm tables built by craftsmen sometimes incorporate the legs into the frames, using them as the corners and attaching the frame members directly into the sides of the legs using mortise-and-tenon joints. This can result in beautiful tables, but requires considerable time and skill to create sturdy joints.
Top
Traditional farm tables are made from standard lumber. Sometimes these boards are of uniform width; at other times, different widths are used and randomly mixed to give the table a scavenged look--that is, that the builder used whatever boards were available. The most commonly used thickness is 3/4-inch.
The boards are held together by nails driven into the top edges of the frame. The boards are not glued to the frame or to each other, as they tend to swell and contract with changes in the weather.
Nails
While screws can be used to build a farm table, nails have performed the job admirably for many years. Why break tradition? Nail heads do not need to be hidden; exposed nails are part of the charm of a farm table.
There are also decorative nails available. You may wish to try them to give your table a more distinctive look.
Finish
Because of their simplicity, farm tables fit well into many decorating styles. This means they can be finished satisfactorily in many ways. The most common are clear finishes, stain and even paint. White, for example, is a popular color for French Country settings, while reddish-brown is common in many American Colonial rooms--perhaps reminiscent of a poor man's attempt to mimic more expensive cherry tables.
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