Crafting the Shaker Style Dining Table from New Yankee Workshop

Well, now let me tell ya, I done seen plenty of folks buildin’ things with wood, but that Shaker-style dining table from the “New Yankee Workshop,” oh, it’s somethin’ special! You see, this ain’t no fancy city-made table, this is the real deal, made just like them Shakers did it, simple but sturdy. Now, I ain’t one to get all technical, but I’ll give ya the jist of it.

First off, the Shaker style is known for bein’ plain, no extra fuss, just clean lines and solid craftsmanship. I remember when I first seen it, I thought, “Well, that sure ain’t no table you just throw together in a hurry.” It takes time, and that’s what makes it stand out. It’s built to last, just like the old timers used to say, “You build it right, it’ll outlast ya.”

The feller who made this table, Norm, he got the idea after visitin’ an old Shaker settlement over in Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. I don’t know if you’ve ever been out that way, but it’s got that charm—plain, quiet, but there’s a certain peace to it, ya know? The folks there, they didn’t need no fancy frills. They just needed somethin’ to sit at, somethin’ solid to gather round for their meals.

Now, Norm, he didn’t just make the table from scratch. He went and looked at some of them antique pieces folks had tucked away in their homes, especially ones from Nantucket. Folks there, they know good furniture when they see it. They don’t settle for cheap stuff, that’s for sure! Norm saw this pine trestle table at a Shaker house, and he got to thinkin’. He said to himself, “That’s it! That’s what I’m gonna make.” And sure enough, he did.

The Shaker dining table ain’t too big, but it’s just right. You don’t need a table the size of a barn to eat a meal, do ya? A little one where everyone can gather ‘round, share a bite, and tell stories—that’s what matters. The legs on this here table, they’re straight and strong, built to hold up no matter how many meals you set on it. And that top, it’s smooth and sturdy, made to handle whatever you throw at it, whether it’s a plate of hot biscuits or a big ol’ pot roast.

Building the Table

Now, I know you might be wonderin’ how one goes about buildin’ such a fine piece of furniture. Well, I reckon it’s all about patience. First, you get you some good pine wood, not too soft, not too hard, just right. Then you cut your pieces, and you make sure they fit just so. Norm, he’s got a way of usin’ the tools, like that ol’ drill press, to make sure every joint fits like a glove. Ain’t no wobbly legs on this table, I’ll tell ya that much.

The real trick to makin’ a Shaker-style table is all about joinery. You don’t just nail things together and hope for the best. No, no, you use proper joints that’ll hold up over time. You know, them dovetail joints and such. It’s what makes the table last long after the last meal’s been served. When you see it, you know it’s built with care.

Once that frame’s all done, you give it a good sanding. You want it to be smooth, but not too smooth. The Shakers didn’t make things so perfect it looked fake. They left a little texture, a little feel of the wood, and that’s what gives it character.

What Makes It Special

Now, what makes this table so special, you might ask? Well, it ain’t just the look of it, though it sure is a fine lookin’ table. It’s the way it makes you feel when you sit at it. You know how some tables, they’re all fancy and high-tech, but you can’t feel at home? Not this one. This table, it’s like sittin’ down at your grandma’s house. Comfortable, solid, and it just feels right.

I reckon the beauty of the Shaker style is in its simplicity. It don’t try to impress ya with bells and whistles. It don’t need to. When somethin’s built right, it speaks for itself. And that’s what this table does. It don’t need no fancy carvings or gold trim to make it stand out. The wood itself, the clean lines, the honest craftsmanship—it’s all you need.

The folks at the New Yankee Workshop, they made sure to give every step in the process proper attention. They took their time, and they made sure it was done right. If you’re lookin’ to make one of these tables yourself, you can find all the directions and measurements over on their website, with pictures and even line drawings to help you along. They make it simple, even if you ain’t the handiest with a hammer.

In Conclusion

So, if you’re lookin’ for a table that’s built to last, that has some history and some soul in it, this Shaker-style dining table is the way to go. It’s got that old-fashioned charm, and it’s something that’ll bring people together. It don’t matter if you’re sittin’ down for a quiet meal or gatherin’ the whole family round for Thanksgiving dinner—this table’s gonna serve ya well for years to come.

• Solid construction, built to last
• Simplistic, elegant design
• Easy to make with the right plans
• Perfect for family gatherings
• Made with care and attention to detail

So, don’t go runnin’ off to buy some flimsy, mass-produced table from a store. Build yourself one of these Shaker-style beauties, and I promise you won’t regret it.

Tags：[Shaker Style, Dining Table, New Yankee Workshop, Furniture, Woodworking, Norm Abram, DIY Furniture, Shaker Furniture, Rustic Furniture, Dining Room Table]