Shaker Round Pedestal Table Woodworking Plans: Create Timeless Furniture at Home

You know, if you’re lookin’ to make yourself one of them fine round pedestal tables, you’ve come to the right place. I ain’t no fancy woodworker or nothin’, but I can tell ya a thing or two ‘bout makin’ a good ol’ Shaker-style table. I’ll explain it simple, so even a beginner can get it. Don’t matter if you got big ol’ hands or small ones, you’ll be able to make somethin’ that’ll last a long time, just like them Shakers did. They knew what they was doin’ when they made things, that’s for sure.

Now, let’s start with the basics. First off, you’re gonna need some wood. The Shakers, they liked to use a lot of cherry wood for their tables, but if you don’t got any of that, any sturdy wood will do. Pine’s real cheap, but it’s a little soft, so maybe not for the legs if you want somethin’ real sturdy. Oak’s a good choice too, nice and strong, but a bit heavier on the wallet.

Once you’ve got your wood, the first thing you gotta do is figure out how big you want your table. Shaker tables, they ain’t too big, just enough to fit a few folks around. Usually, them old Shaker tables were about 30 inches high and the top was about 36 inches across, but you can make it however you want, as long as you ain’t tryin’ to build a banquet table. Keep it simple, like the Shakers did, and you’ll be fine.

Now, for the most important part: the pedestal. The pedestal is what gives the table its name, after all. You can’t just slap any old thing together. This here is where you’ll need a lathe if you’ve got one. Don’t worry if you ain’t never used one, I’ll walk ya through it. You’re gonna turn that wood, makin’ it smooth and round. It don’t gotta be perfect, but it sure helps if you take your time. The Shakers, they didn’t rush through things. They worked steady, one step at a time.

Once your pedestal is turned and lookin’ all nice, you’ll need to attach it to the base. Now, Shaker furniture is known for its simplicity, and they liked to use strong joints, not just nails and screws like folks do today. The best joint for a pedestal table is a simple, sturdy one called a mortise and tenon. You might have to practice on some scrap wood before you do the real thing, but it’s worth it. You make a hole (that’s the mortise) in the top of your pedestal, and then a matching peg (that’s the tenon) in the bottom of your table top. Slide them together real tight, and you got yourself a strong connection.

Once you got the pedestal all hooked up, it’s time to make the table top. Now, don’t go cheap on this part. A solid piece of wood looks so much better than a bunch of pieces glued together. If you’re usin’ cherry or oak, you should be able to find a nice piece big enough. Just make sure it’s flat and smooth. You can plane it down if it’s rough, or sand it till your arms feel like they’re gonna fall off. But trust me, it’s worth the effort.

Now, you’ll need to attach the legs to your table. The Shakers, they had a special way of attachin’ them legs to the base. They didn’t use no screws or nails, no sir. They used a simple peg system. Each leg has a hole drilled in it, and you peg it into the base. Strong as an ox. You gotta make sure the legs are all the same length, so the table don’t wobble. A wobbly table ain’t no good for nothin’.

Once your table’s all put together, it’s time to finish it. The Shakers, they didn’t like to make things shiny and fancy, but they did like to protect the wood. You can use a good quality varnish or oil finish. It’ll make the wood pop and give it that nice glow without it bein’ all slick and shiny like them modern tables. Just rub it on with a cloth and let it soak in. Let it dry real good between coats.

And there ya go! You’ve got yourself a beautiful Shaker-style round pedestal table, built just like the old timers did it. It’s simple, it’s sturdy, and it’s gonna last you many years. Don’t rush, take your time, and enjoy the process. Ain’t nothin’ like makin’ somethin’ with your own two hands.

Tags：[woodworking plans, Shaker furniture, pedestal table, woodworking, furniture making, DIY furniture, wood turning, wood finishing]