These tables are so cute! We were really excited to design these tables and use some new techniques that we haven't done before. We got the inspiration from Ana White's site (seriously so many fun ideas!), but our customer needed a specific size so we had to change things up quite a bit.
With all of our past projects we've always used pocket holes to join boards together. After seeing how our farmhouse table has started to split and crack in places, we started doing research. We discovered using dowels to join table tops together is the preferred method for a lot of woodworkers. I just love that we're constantly learning new things to make our work better. It's part of this journey that I love so much. Although a tad frustrating to look at past projects and wish I could do it over again!
![]() |
Why yes, we are crazy! |
After bringing our lumber home, we ran all of the wood through our jointer...
![]() |
Yes, I'm wearing my daughters panda headphones. |
...and planer to get all the wood nice and straight and smooth.
Then we made our cuts. ***If you want to make one of these little tables, I added a shopping list and cut list at the end of this post!
All assembled! Lots of sanding, filling knot holes, plugging pocket holes, more sanding.
I was not pleased with the finish on the tops, so I sanded it down and started again. Yeah, I'm a perfectionist.
There! So much better! Treated it with pre-stain wood conditioner, stained a beautiful dark walnut (my favorite shade!), then finished with two coats of polyurethane in satin.
All finished :)
I couldn't help but decorate it for a quick picture before sending it off to it's new owner :)
Now, onto our dozen other half finished projects! Thanks for following along! Cut list below!
-Monique
Lumber List: 1x4x8ft
2x2x8ft
1x3x6ft
1x2x6ft
Cut List:
Table top: 1x4 cut at 19 inches (4 cuts)
Table Legs: 2x2 cut at 19 inches (4 cuts)
Long aprons: 1x3 cut at 15 1/4 inches (2 cuts)
Short aprons: 1x3 cut at 9 1/2 inches (2 cuts)
Side cross supports: 1x2 cut at 15 1/2 (2 cuts)
Middle cross support: 1x2 cut at 10 5/8 inches (1 cut)
Your Kreg Jig manual will give you the screw size and slider setting per the thickness of the material you're working with. When you're joining two boards together of different thicknesses, the trick is: THINK THIN! Always go with the size of your thinnest board.
You can certainly attach the top with pocket screws if you don't want to bother with dowels. As long as your wood is dry and you are not doing breadboard ends it should be fine.
Let me know if you are going to make this!