How to Build a Shaker Style Table: Step-by-Step Guide

Well, let me tell ya, makin’ a shaker style table ain’t that hard once ya get the hang of it. I ain’t no fancy carpenter, but I can show ya how to make one of them tables that looks real nice in any room, whether it’s your kitchen, dining room, or even by the door where folks leave their coats. Now, if ya want it to turn out good, ya gotta follow a few steps, but don’t worry, I’ll keep it simple, just like I’d tell ya if I was sittin’ right next to ya.

What’s a Shaker Style Table?

Now, before we start gettin’ our hands all dusty, ya might be wonderin’ what a “Shaker style” table even is. Well, let me explain. These tables come from a group of folks called the Shakers. They were real plain folks, you see, and they liked their furniture simple but strong. They didn’t go in for fancy carvings or shiny decorations. Their tables were sturdy, with straight lines and smooth surfaces. Ain’t no fuss, just good solid work. So when you’re makin’ a Shaker table, that’s what ya want – simplicity, strength, and a clean look.

Materials You’ll Need

• Wood – You can use any kind, but cherry wood’s what the Shakers liked best. It’s tough and looks real nice once you finish it. But pine or oak will do just fine too.
• Table legs – These should be nice and straight, tapered if you want to keep it traditional, but regular square legs will work too if you ain’t up for the taperin’.
• Wood glue – Ain’t no table gonna stay together without it!
• Screws or nails – Depends on how fancy you want to get with it. Some folks use pegs, but we’ll stick with nails for simplicity’s sake.
• Sandpaper – You gotta smooth that wood out, or it’ll be all rough and uncomfortable, won’t sit right either.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get to the fun part. Here’s how I’d go about buildin’ me a Shaker table, and you can follow along too:

Step 1: Cut Your Wood Pieces

First thing you’ll need to do is get your wood all cut up. You need a big piece for the top, and then you’ll need four pieces for the legs and some smaller pieces for the apron around the table. I like to start with the tabletop – make sure it’s big enough for your space. You can measure it out to about 30 inches wide and 60 inches long, or whatever fits your needs.

Step 2: Taper the Legs (Optional)

Now, if you’re feelin’ fancy and wanna go with them tapered legs like the Shakers did, you’ll need to shave the legs down. Take your table legs and measure where ya want them to start taperin’. You want the top of the leg to be wide enough so it can attach to the table, but it should narrow down as it goes toward the floor. Use a saw or a planer to shave off the wood at a slight angle.

Step 3: Attach the Legs to the Apron

The apron is the frame that connects the legs to the top of the table. You’ll need to make sure each leg is nice and strong, so the table don’t wobble. Now, ya can use mortise and tenon joints if you want, but if you’re just learnin’, simple screws or nails will do just fine. Make sure each leg is straight and square, then secure ‘em to the apron. You don’t want no crooked table now, do ya?

Step 4: Attach the Tabletop

Once you got your legs on, it’s time to put that big ol’ tabletop on. You can glue it down, but I like to add screws from underneath so the top stays put. Make sure it’s centered right, and check that it’s level. No use makin’ a table if it don’t sit flat, right?

Step 5: Sand It Down

Now, don’t forget this step! You gotta make sure everything’s nice and smooth. Take your sandpaper and rub down the whole table. You don’t want no rough spots where your elbows might get caught. Once it’s all smooth, you can go ahead and give it a finish. Some folks use wax or oil, others like a coat of varnish for extra shine.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

If you wanna be extra careful with the edges, ya can round ‘em off a little bit so they ain’t sharp. You can also add some little decorative touches if that’s your style, though the Shakers liked to keep it plain. But hey, it’s your table – you do what makes ya happy.

Conclusion

And there you go! Now you’ve got yourself a nice Shaker style table. Ain’t that somethin’ to be proud of? It’ll last ya a good long while, and it’ll look good in any room. Plus, you made it with your own two hands – can’t get much better than that. Just remember, take your time and don’t rush through it. This is one of them projects that gets better the more you put into it.

So, go on now, gather your wood and tools, and get started! You’ll be sittin’ around your very own handmade table in no time.

Tags：[Shaker Table, Build a Shaker Table, DIY Shaker Table, Woodworking, Shaker Style, Simple Furniture, How to Build a Table]