Now, if you’ve got a little bit of time and some leftover wood from other projects, why not try your hand at building a shaker farm table? These tables ain’t all that hard to make, and they sure do look nice in any room. All you need is some good old-fashioned elbow grease, a few tools, and a whole lot of patience.
First off, you’ll want to make sure you got yourself the right kind of wood. Pine’s a good choice, but you can also use oak or maple if you want something a little sturdier. Just make sure it’s not too knotty or bumpy, or you’ll end up regretting it when you start cutting and sanding. Trust me on that one.
When you’ve got your wood all picked out, the next step is figuring out what size table you want. Shaker farm tables don’t have to be huge like some of them fancy ones you see in magazines. A good size for a smaller room might be around 60 inches long and 30 inches wide. That’s plenty big enough for a nice dinner and doesn’t take up too much space.
Step 1: Build the Table Legs
Now, the legs of a shaker farm table are pretty simple. They’re usually straight and square, but with a little flare at the bottom, kind of like a slight taper. You’ll want to cut your four legs to the same length, so make sure to measure ‘em twice before you cut ‘em once. You don’t want no uneven legs on your table, or it’ll wobble all over the place, and that ain’t pretty.
Step 2: The Tabletop
The tabletop is where you can get a little creative. You can either go with a solid slab of wood or make it from smaller pieces. If you’re going the smaller piece route, make sure you’re gluing them up nice and tight so there ain’t no gaps. A shaker table’s supposed to look smooth and clean, not like someone just threw a bunch of planks together.
Once your tabletop is glued up and dry, you’re gonna want to sand it down real nice. You want it smooth as butter, ‘cause nothing feels worse than running your hand across a rough surface while you’re eating your dinner.
Step 3: Assembling the Frame
When it comes to putting the legs and tabletop together, you’ll need some strong wood screws. Pre-drill your holes so the wood don’t split, and be sure to use wood glue for extra strength. Once you’ve got the frame built, stand it up and check to make sure it’s nice and level. You don’t want your plates sliding off the table every time you set ’em down, do ya?
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Now that your shaker farm table is all put together, it’s time to finish it up. You can either stain it or paint it, depending on what kind of look you’re going for. I’d recommend using a wood stain if you want to keep that natural look, but if you like things a little more colorful, go ahead and paint it. Just make sure to put on a few coats of finish so it holds up over time.
Final Thoughts
Building a shaker farm table isn’t too hard, and it sure is rewarding. Plus, you’ll have a beautiful table to use for years to come. Don’t be afraid to give it a try. You might just surprise yourself with what you can build! And if you mess up, well, that’s part of the fun, ain’t it? You can always learn from your mistakes and try again.
So, if you’re looking for a fun project to tackle this weekend, consider building a shaker farm table. It’s simple, practical, and you’ll end up with a piece of furniture that’ll add some charm to your home for sure.
Tags:[Shaker Farm Table, DIY Furniture, Woodworking, Farmhouse Table Plans, Shaker Table Building, Table Making Plans, Easy DIY Table, Woodworking Projects]