DiResta’s Cut: Eleven-Foot Farmhouse Dining Table

While Jimmy DiResta always makes his builds look easy, this is one that we might actually be able to do. This month Jimmy builds a massive, eleven-foot-plus farmhouse dining table, using a very limited amount of tools. It’s a reminder that you don’t need a fully-outfitted shop in order to build something as huge and sturdy as this.
Jimmy shows us how he handles one of the most important parts on a table of this size--the corner bracing, which needs to be both sturdy and in this case knock-down. And as always the video is sprinkled with helpful tips, including the easiest way in the world to make boards look weathered. (Hint: Get an assist from Mother Nature.)

[@doncampbell853]

I think the layering and trapping idea is genius. I really liked the voice over in this video

[@mrclean146]

My wife has been bugging me to make a big table but have been holding off because it going to be outside. This is perfect. Thank you.

[@joelliboiron3774]

Commentary is MUCH appreciated!! I've picked up a lot of great tips and tricks from your videos. Thank-you very much!

[@dlmtthws]

Sunday evening prime time TV viewing. I'm watching diresta with a nice cup of tea. You can't get any better than that. 😎

[@Vijay_Madkar]

One day I will surely come to meet you Jimmy, You are AWESOME.

[@silenthill5794]

This is why I love your stuff, pause it half way and it looks like you're building a boat !! I fail at mortise/tenon all the time, and you've just "inspired" me to try a different approach. Thank you for this one..beautiful table !!

[@Ja_nein_philleicht]

Every DiResta joint is a good joint. Lesson learned.

[@CarlosGlatzos976]

And don´t forget: if it looks straight it is straight :) Cheers!

[@rogerdrum5936]

I learn something with every video. Keep up the great work. A natural teacher.

[@jadedblackpill5009]

Always learn a little tip or trick no matter what video I watch. Thanks braddah

[@AaronVozzolo]

Great looking farm table! I really like your design for the aprons and simply enclosing each board in with layers; I'm going to go that route for my next farm table!

[@MrTumorHumor]

So I was running to the post office earlier and saw an old oak door on the side of the road. Picked it up and took it home real quick. While leaving the post office I was thinking about how to strip that door down, refinish it and then convert it into a table for the backyard deck. Soon as I got home I saw this video was posted. The framing design for this wedding table should work pretty well for my door/table project. Diresta you perfecting timing son of a bitch...!

[@jimmydiresta]

Hahaha

[@Nill757]

Nice, efficient work. Effective idea with the layered-trapped joints.

[@nobilismaximus]

That's a nice tidy job there. Nice work.

[@thebertt]

Utilitarian, oddly elegant, and just nice.Thanks!

[@toodle171]

Wow I actually learned a lot. Did not think your build method would have turned out strong enough but hey it's that and attractive.

[@CarlosGlatzos976]

I really like the rough look. I would have spent 10 days sanding this and damn, it works without it, too! Someone should have told me that. Indeed, lesson learned. Cheers!

[@Mongos_Garage]

Nice table Jimmy! I am going to have to build one now! I am getting used to you releasing a video everyday! I am enjoying it tremendously! Thank you for sharing these and all your video's, I have learned so much from you over the last year!

[@zorro587]

Talk about just in time! The first in line to the family overdraft wants me to make him a table. Really like the doubled-up parts of the apron that lock the corners together. Many thanks

[@elbob248]

Perfect timing. I'm fixing to build several tables for a BBQ joint, and I like the simplicity of the layering.

[@yagizkaya3000]

Diresta-Videos tu schauen ist solch eine Befriedigung!😍

[@nbehrman0]

This is the most well put together video you've done to date, in my opinion. Very pro grade stuff. Nicely done...

[@guitarDad100]

Very nice work. I like the idea of layering the wood for strength. Thanks for posting this video.

[@stapletonconsultingservice2762]

Love the simple, strong design. I know how I'm making my next table! Thanks, Jimmy!

[@karlackdamack4238]

Very nice build and I'm putting that layering technique in my bag of tricks. Thanks for sharing.

[@glenngoodale1709]

thank you so much for sharing your craft with us all.

[@jimgam730]

Jimmy I learn something every time I watch one of your videos. Thanks for sharing

[@aroldfut]

Thanks for this video. I just made my first table utilizing your layered leg technique. Very solid!

[@davidosullivan3432]

i enjoyed that .love when you do talk over in videos

[@elmcityvintage]

Bear vs. the chickens was a nice touch

[@kmonnier]

made me smile

[@hizo64HH]

I enjoyed the slippers you wore while building this.

[@frankbing1]

Love watching you work Mr DiResta, very inspirational.

[@charrontheboatman]

Jimmy I could watch you build things all day long I learn something new each and every video.. thank you so much for sharing your craft with us all.

[@toddweller]

What an awesome idea layering the material for strength!

[@carlo54377]

I learn something every time I watch. Thanks for teaching Jimmy. The layering technique has been added to my bag of tricks now.

[@texasnewf]

Great work as always Jimmy !

[@fontainerenan8439]

I'm doing a small table based on this model, thanks Jimmy for all the inspiration you give!

[@adamvanderswaagh8983]

Great looking table. I really like the simplicity

[@FarmCraft101]

That was awesome Jimmy. Totally agree with you on the layering. Easily as strong as cutting all the dados, but so much easier to build. Thanks for sharing!

[@michelekennedy515]

What a beautiful table!

[@billfromelma]

I had fun watching. I like the layer idea. Makes sense. Like that Hemlock look too. Great job.

[@alekseyevets]

I once build a table for a wedding to I have to say didn't turn out as good as yours. that was my first time but, I have to say I really do enjoy narration on your build at least explains your thought process.

[@flyfish723]

This is a well made instructional video. I was able to craft a 6 x 10 dining table out of Sipo wood. Thank you!

[@ryan31775]

Love the idea of doubling up the frame - good tip. So yes, I DID learn something. Thx for a great video.

[@tonymengela]

Hey one trick to strengthen those holes that lag bolts go in is to put wood glue in to the holes of the legs you drilled. when it dries it acts like a loc-tite but also forms a type of plastic helicoil and less likely to strip out

[@ippolitofred]

Great build. Great video. Always learn good stuff from your videos Jimmy. Love the interlocking method for strength.

[@maxhallowell]

I love this style of video, I feel like its a friend is telling me what to do and how it will turn out great now mater what. Please make some more like this

[@greedypaul6343]

Hadn't ever thought of backing up with ply. Great idea. Gotta try it now.

[@eddiemilton3819]

You seriously are a bad ass man. I absolutely love everything you make. Do you think you'll make a video on how to make chairs for a dining table?

[@Moe_DeGrasse]

great ideas! Will be copying this exact design with some wood I found last week. Thanks so much Diresta, you're the best !

[@mikewest712]

Great build Jim, very inspiring. nice design on the apron.

[@joebeerlow2805]

Cool table. I enjoyed the commentary

[@pimuir]

I learned lots as always. Thanks Jimmy.

[@simo2601]

Awesome work man! I love the idea of leaving boards outside, so simple but I never thought of it! I think the legs look really dated, but that's not your fault, and easily changed with this design!

[@BenBrandt22]

Good stuff. I love the layered table frame concept, simple and strong.

[@TYPE1TEEZ]

Good stuff and great build. Making stuff look easy.

[@DaveGatton]

Table turned out great. I like how you "layered" to get the strength and rigidity.

[@Traderjoe]

This is awesome Jimmy! My kitchen table is made the same way and I weigh 240 lbs and I can stand on it and it doesn't even creak!

[@avivagatsmile]

Thank you Mr. DiResta - excellent ideas building the frame and legs like that - strong and easy!! ( even I can try this..... :))

[@ESCAGEDOWOODWORKING]

I enjoyed this table build so much!! I'm inspired to get out there and finish my project now!! In the morning.

[@christopherdubour6662]

Thanks Jimmy, planning to build a table and found this. Definitely some tips I'll use here, such as building the apron for the table legs I got. Keep up the good work!

[@grant3226]

Thanks Jimmy, always learn something from you 🙂

[@igorstjepanovic8556]

Love how it turned out and thanks for the top on the overlapping of timber to avoid complex joinery. Will use that tip. Especially at the end with the ply

[@islandliving3533]

awesome work as always Jimmy. good tips on the layering!

[@jakoball]

Hey Jimmy! Great video, I love the idea of laminating the apron to boost the strength! About the legs, here in EU we can get a "screw" that has a coarse wood thread on one side and a machine thread on other specifically for this (there are similar for fixing the toilets in the ground). Than you permanently screw the screw in the leg, put it through the hole in the diagonal piece and use a washer and a nut. They work very good.

[@spyxx7]

Greate table, nice joint, thanks for the video.

[@johnbob82]

DiResta=Learning!

[@stevenhardy2898]

Very nicely done. I once made a table using edge glued 2 by 4's for the top. I wanted a finished ,highly planed surfaces when I was done,so I planed everything true with a planer/jointer on all sides. To give it a little character back, I routed the joint lines after it was glued with a rounded veining bit.... I did this because its really annoying when a kid spills something and it drips down in between the boards. Just offering an idea to keep in your bag of tricks. :-)

[@moniquelevesque8756]

thank you, Jimmy yes I did learn something, you are a great teacher! love your work!

[@flanker0ne]

The dog at the last, show us a perfect example of "The cure is worst then the problem itself"

[@billegan2187]

love this table jimmy - great video - great job - thanks for doing all the vids you do...learn alot of helpful tips from you. Cant Thank you enough

[@Manof2boyz]

Thanx for the education, great build!

[@playersidekick]

simple and beautiful great job!

[@alsmith1025]

love this one. Gave me an idea for the farm house table project i'm in the middle of. thanks.

[@GibClark]

Great way to build, love the plywood idea !!!!

[@RichardMartin]

I really like that and yes, I did learn something. Thanks for sharing Jimmy!

[@tysonhimself]

super helpful. I am going to use a bit of these techniques on my own table

[@Zerostar369]

Good job Jimmy. Thanks.

[@starlight8170]

nice table and suuuper nice chairs

[@tigordie2916]

Thanks Jimmy! Great video I always learn something from you!

[@PaulMeyette]

Awesome. Majestic in stature.

[@Nauris_L]

Baltic birch - warms my heart, since I live in Baltics.

[@rtrspb]

"Hope you learn something" - the best end words! ))

[@flashgolly]

Great build, and wonderful aesthetics! I wonder for peace of mind if you would use hide glue where the legs make contact with the frame, that way its even more sturdy, but completely reversible if you need to take the legs off for movement. Looking forward to catching up on all of your videos, I'm working my way through the Making It podcast currently, and feeling inspired! Thanks Jimmy!

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Beautiful piece!

[@HWoodCreations]

Well done man. Always get useful info for your vids. Keep 'em coming.

[@jvasq2]

Really nice, enjoy watching your videos...Could you use a threaded metal insert where the bolt goes into the leg to avoid stripping later on down the road from removing and re-installing the legs...?

[@jeph4life]

Great table and awesome property! Also, I did learn something from this video and that is I get pissed cause you make everything look so easy!

[@MrThuggery]

Nice work mate

[@JuanMiguelGarcia1969]

Good job and nice style

[@roymay9758]

Thanks....Always learn something!

[@thiagocamargoalima]

Another good thing about putting the screws on the legs this way, only a single one, is that you follow the angle of the structure and put the screw diagonally. So you have more material for the screw to hang on.

[@wkp4139]

This is a very nice table

[@escapefromtmrw]

Your videos are awesome!!!

[@johnmcdonald5274]

You the man Jimmy D.

[@sonnybeltran7096]

Dude, that is sick!! 👍🏼

[@sjbl1962]

Interesting build. I visited my daughter this past weekend and she mentioned she would like a farm table for her kitchen, excellent release date for this video. Jimmy, quick question: Given the table you built will be used essentially in a commercial situation, is there any concern that a rambunctious wedding party, or two, will move this table by dragging it across the floor and stress the single lag bolt holding the knotty pine legs on?

[@eflizotte]

Looks awesome!! Thoughts on using a threaded brass insert in the legs? That way you could use machine screws to hold the legs in place. Would be easier if legs were going to be removed often.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Interesting how you primarily used glue. I guess with the layering, it was like very large plywood, as far as the strength goes. The table looks great!

[@ryan-barrett]

Loved the narration! Your videos are great, but I always felt something was missing. The narration was the thing.

[@SouthernGinger]

Nice one Jimmy.