A good farm table is little more than four legs, side rails, and a top
Farmhouse tables are a basic part of American furniture. Farmers rarely had the money to buy expensive furniture; a farmhouse table was built very simply, using the common tools and materials they had handy. Almost anybody can build a sturdy farmhouse table.
You can build a similar table using standard pine lumber from your local home center. Simple butt joints, assembled using box nails, are all that is needed. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Lay two of the 4x4s (legs) on the ground, about five feet apart and parallel to each other. Lay one of the 1x4s on top of them, overlapping the edges so they form a U-shape of two legs joined by a long side rail to support the top. Spread some glue between the joints where they overlap, and drive three box nails through each end of the rail into the legs (six nails total). Do not position the three nails in a straight line. Stagger them, so you are less likely to split the wood. Wipe off any excess glue with the damp cloth.
2. Repeat step 1 with the other 1x4 and the other two 4x4s, and let the glue dry. You now have two leg assemblies, one for each side of the table.
3. Set one of the leg assemblies on the floor so the bottoms of the legs point straight up in the air. Attach one of the longer 2x4s to the end of this leg assembly. The cut edge of the 2x4 should align with the outside edge of the 1x4 side rail, so the leg appears to be inside the frame formed by the 1x4 and the 2x4. Apply some glue to the area where the 2x4 and the leg assembly overlap, then drive three nails through the 2x4 into the leg assembly; stagger them as you did before. Use the damp cloth to wipe off any excess glue. This is one of the short end rails of the table.
4. Attach the other long 2x4 to the other end of the leg assembly, following the instructions in Step 3. This 2x4 is the short end rail for the other end of the table.
5. Put some glue on one cut end of the short 2x4 and position it halfway between the two short end rails, then drive three nails through the 1x4 into the end of this 2x4. Wipe off any excess glue. This is a center support for the top of the farmtable.
6. Attach the remaining leg assembly to the three 2x4s, using glue and nails as in the previous three steps. When finished, you will have completed the farmtable base. Once the glue has dried, turn the table base over so it sits on the legs.
7. Use the measuring tape to mark the center point on each of the short end rails with the pencil. Position two of the 1x8s on top of the frame, with their joint placed over the pencil marks. Drive three box nails through each one into both of the end rails and the center support; you will need nine nails per board. Do not use glue. Add boards, nailing them to the frame until the top is completed.
8. Stain the table with the finish of your choice, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Tags: three nails, nails through, three nails through, drive three, excess glue