DIY Dining Table: Pottery Barn Inspired Farmhouse Table

[@LRN2DIY]

A quick note on the end caps. I’m not sure I’d honestly recommend them. The problem is that the wood will shrink and expand more in one direction than the other, which means that while the table top may move a bit in one direction, the end cap, by virtue of being perpendicular to the rest of the top, will move in the other direction. On my table this has resulted in a bit of a lip. Nothing huge, but not what I hoped for. I’d recommend leaving the wood out for several weeks first, or possibly omitting the end cap altogether. Another option is to create an end cap (for the lip) by cutting off 1.5" from the table top and then attaching that to the bottom of the ends - to help match up the skirts. I attached the end caps with glue and brads at first, followed up with some pocket hole screws from the bottom side. If you're just doing the skirt method, then I'd recommend screwing them in from the bottom using 2.5" countersunk screws. The end cap dimensions (as shown in the plans) are 3’6″ W x 3″ H x 1.5″ D. As for the side skirts, it’s just a 2×4 ripped in half and then glued, tacked and screwed onto the table top. I countersunk all of the screws and that one worked out pretty well. The side skirts are 7’9″ W x 1.5″ H x 1.5″ D.

[@Madebywilly_CustomWoodworks]

I make a lot of tables using similar techniques. I've devised a system to allow the cross grain to expand and contract freely without the breadboard ends preventing that from happening. It takes a bit more effort but makes for a stable table top. Also, I always put a few coats of poly on the underside to seal the entire table top and limit the wood movement. The diy plans websites don't often factor that stuff in. I love the rough sawn technique. I'll have to use that!

[@brentfisher3396]

LRN2DIY 5

[@rachelhunting]

Should have done book end wouldn't have had that problem but still would have had the look you wanted

[@marlinmelendez-laboymrs.pr9573]

LRN2DIY on a scale of 1-10. How comfortable are the chairs?

[@nated4949]

Rach Hunting hello, what are book ends?

[@dlozano913]

I came across this video when I started researching how to make a dining room table. I have zero carpentry experience so I wanted something easy, this wasn’t as easy as I was looking for but I was up for the challenge. With your instructions and some google research (and a little guidance from the guys at my local Home Depot) I made a version of this table. It’s far from perfect and may not last me forever but it looks amazing and I did it all by myself! Thanks for your tutorial.

[@LRN2DIY]

That's so cool to hear, Diana! Congrats on taking this on and finishing it. These types of comments really make the effort that goes into making these videos worthwhile, so thank you for sharing. :)

[@Jazbot3]

This is the first hardware-store-wood diy table that I've found on youtube that doesn't look like a hardware-store-wood diy table.

[@gordo2505]

The bandsaw texture trick was worth the price of admission alone! Fantastic! Great trick. Thank you.

[@davidjanuszewski5020]

A suggestion, when flattening the top, use a straight/flat 2''X4''X5' with 60 grit paper glued-on, just slide this across the table at different angles to high-lite the lows and highs of the top.. I have used this process myself and am very pleased with the out-come...

[@LarkAlrion]

David Januszewski What about a 6' level with a strip of belt sander paper anddouble sided tape to make sure it's as straight as possible

[@fazir22]

You know what man I cherish everyone that cross my path in life you are awesome bro I am going to make this table thank you and have a bless and wonderful life.

[@thenakedcarpenter2502]

Your bandsaw technique for getting the re-sawn look is genius!

[@SoSodaddy]

One of the Best DIY Table I ever seen.

[@maym479]

Agree

[@KickDrumKid23]

I ended up using 5-1/4 stock for the top. Then finished the edges and end boards with 1-1/2. A little more expensive but you save a lot of time shaping, sanding and getting edges straight. Plus it has far less inclusions in the wood than 2X stock. Also, make sure you lay table top boards out in opposite ring patterns. This will reduce cupping, warping etc. Will post pictures once it is assembled. Great tutorial! Thank you LRN2DIY!

[@LRN2DIY]

KickDrumKid23 Great tips! Can’t wait to see your pics!

[@ronaldmobleyjr896]

Thank you. I built this table after watching you. My wife loves it.

[@BrocAndAimee]

Thanks brother! My wife and I made this table and did a video of it. We did a couple things different and it turned out great. Appreciate the help!

[@nwinburn]

This one is one of the best I've seen!!!

[@juzergulamali339]

THIS LOOKS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. SUPERB JOB

[@dwindlefoddl7225]

For those who don't have a bandsaw but a table saw..buy a dado set to make the cut out for the base bottoms...make sure you use your table saw sled ...worked perfect for me..if you don'twant to buy a dado set you can still use your table saw sled to make those cuts ,running your board across the blade..does take time but still works...if you don't have a table saw,use a miter saw saw with stop block..making several cuts then clean it out

[@jonbrown6316]

This was perfect as a vanity desk for me. kzbin.infoUgkxMAlHv7-BBWMrPRm5-uEoD6rtdT7SG2Qr Especially the glossy finish. Easy to cleanI was looking for something that wasn't the traditional white and with more of a modern feel. This fit the bill beautifully. I put it together with no problems, by myself in under an hour.Make sure you double check where you place the drawer tracks before screwing down. I had one track that needed to be aligned with different holes than the rest.

[@steele.harter]

Dude, you’re the best for posting the build measurements! That’s awesome! Very helpful! Thank you!

[@travp1288]

This is a great build... very thorough detail on the explanation as well. Great job!

[@lumptoast]

Fantastic Video!!!! I love the table, the instructions and (I'm geeking out here) but the animation of the lag bolts going into the wood. Very nice touch. I wasn't planning on it but the look of the bandsaw marks really gave it that high-end distressed feel. Gonna go make a sammich with some grey poupon now. Thanks again!

[@cleokey]

This table is beautiful and will last several generations. I plan on printing out the cut list and modifying it to fit my needs. I.am now a subscriber and look forward to seeing other projects you build. Thanks for the terrific video.

[@resp0nse_beats]

Really came out well. That's one chunky table!

[@PadawanRJ]

Mate, great job and thanks for the multiple tips during your videos. And I'm impressed you were honest about how long you took to build the table. It's important to know that good things take time instead of pressuring ourselves to get it done.

[@derrickk2916]

My jaw dropped when I saw the current price of the table @ PB, Cdn $3,219.00. Well done, you have true skill.

[@scottrobertson9788]

Looks incredible! Awesome work! Thanks for posting

[@gkioto]

Beautiful looking table! Thanks for sharing!

[@AroundtheHouse]

Turned out so good

[@BronkBuilt]

Great looking table. I echo the concerns on wook movement. Also, for the cutout on the bottom of the legs you can leave the bottom flat and come back and add small blocks on both sides to create the "cut out". I don't have a bandsaw so that is what I would do.

[@LRN2DIY]

Excellent idea on the wood block on the bottom. As for the movement of the wood, it's been a little bit of an issue with this table. I think I'd recommend leaving ends flush cut - no caps on them. You just never know how much movement you'll get otherwise.

[@projectpossible70]

Great looking table ..... but with all due respect wood movement is definitely going to be an issue for the top. As far as I know kiln dried construction lumber (please tell me you at least used kiln dried lumber) is dried to 19% (it will show either KD, or KD with a number after it to represent the moisture content), all of that said 19% is still way too high, you want to be in the 10%-12%. Bla bla bla, your table top is basically going to explode. Before i knew any of this I did a how to video on a table made from construction lumber ..... then I learned you really cant do that, so I TOOK IT DOWN. Call me if your interested, I can explain most of what you need to know in about 30 minutes. [phone]

[@toyotaspeed90]

LRN2DIY actually you can determine the exact amount of movement - there are expansion rates by wood type available online, and you can calculate how much movement will happen based on humidity swings in your area, type of wood, and size of piece.

[@marlinmelendez-laboymrs.pr9573]

ProjectPossible does Home Depot sells kiln dried lumber?

[@matthewlorfeld5412]

Without caps aren't the boards making up the table top more vulnerable to cupping? I thought that along with wood expansion was the point of breadboard ends...

[@maym479]

I love it.Beautiful.My favorite diy dinning table

[@path2539]

Thanks for the free video. The table looks great! I had to cut down a massive oak tree in my yard (leaning too much towards house). Then I had a sawyer come in to cut it up into pieces. I will use part of your plan to make a table for a relative. I hope to have a table made from my own wood from my own land.

[@LRN2DIY]

That's really cool! Be sure to let us know how it comes out when you get to that point. Best of luck!

[@AviationResearch]

That's awesome. What a great idea.

[@shawn4900]

Awesome job and very quality value build table. Looks very study and great finish.

[@Davidmaxwell07]

My 1st home project

[@thejonesbunch1940]

Very cool way to get the texture! Thanks for the tip!

[@GerardPatalano]

Thank you so much.... I just used these plans to build myself this table.... except, I used all mahogany. Came out beautiful!!!!

[@LRN2DIY]

That's awesome! Can you upload some pics to one of my social media accounts? I'm on FB, Twitter and Instagram as @LRN2DIY. You rock!

[@harryalcantara1756]

Cool design , thank you for sharing your ideas .

[@X2ndSaturnGamingX]

I think I should build this table for my dining room!

[@ludak83]

Great job, and a beautiful table.

[@piotrrutz5211]

Bardzo PIĘKNA Robota!

[@djbowe]

simply amazing

[@ddyoder]

So awesome! Glad you did this, shared this, and i certainly want to do this as well

[@ochokoatro]

GREAT Expalantion!! Thanks!!

[@canyflyer]

Great build! An easier way to make the arch on the bottom of the legs if you don't have a band saw - instead of using a long jigsaw blade just make multiple passes with a circular saw and chisel/knock out the chips

[@Honorthelordjesus]

I love it , good job man 🤘

[@ahmadzharfan4209]

thats a really big save , nicely done !

[@wickerdn1]

That a beautiful table.

[@westfield90]

Superb video and great commentary

[@s.tolstikow]

Very qualitative explanation, thnx! Great video, great work!

[@sureshot311]

I really enjoyed the narration. Great video. 👍

[@cleopatrasimmons6513]

very beautiful work. thanks

[@buddharmt]

Tricky to pull out scratches/dents easier. Just add water. Dab water onto the scratch and either let air dry or heat gun dry. It'll bring the wood grain up and then sand flush. Or use a damp rag and iron. Same deal.

[@billwazoo]

Hey NILS, I just finished this table thanks to you and your video / website. I can't tell you have helpful it has been! Thank you so much! I'd love to send you some pics, please let me know the best way : )

[@LRN2DIY]

That's awesome! I'd love to see how it came out. You can post in the comments here lrn2diy.com/diy-kitchen-table/ or post to social media and tag @lrn2diy. Thanks!

[@gregmize01]

This looks great! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@bishop5537]

I haven't had a Ryobi tool that ever lasted longer than 16 months! You got lucky with that one!

[@figsfurnishings]

This is awesome. Nice work

[@ritzyllama]

"If you're too cheap to buy one" - code for: screw those guys I'ma make one meself!

[@bosse641]

Very nice. ....well done.

[@eddiebailey6250]

That cut out on yhe bottom is to help it set level and to counter act imperfections in the floor on the the floor

[@antoniodelcastillo-olivare3407]

Thank you! I will built this amazing table for my family.

[@optimistichorizon]

Nice job. I may build this in the near future.

[@brads5074]

Awesome job!

[@RyanMonty]

Looks great, but the problem with the big box lumber, is it's still always pretty wet. I made a table with that stuff a few years ago, and it warped like crazy over time. After about 4 years, I took it apart, jointed and planed everything and then put it back together...good to go!

[@markanix70]

Great looking table!

[@LuisCasstle]

Thank you for the band saw tip to create that effect, I've been looking it up for years. I saw a table from "Indonesia" at a Ross once and have been wondering how they did it ever since. Not saying this is how they did it, but it's the closest thing to it that I've come across. 👍

[@SillyHerpFamily]

Really awesome video! Fantastic post production and you had me rolling with the Ryobi moment of silence! LOL

[@lenmajuskin]

Great device

[@mikejohnson219]

Nicely done sir.

[@jace9062]

Great video! THANKS For sharing

[@1coppelli]

Love this table. Keep it up

[@Justifiedforce]

lots of work..looks great.

[@mauricion6608]

Very nice 👍🏼

[@apolloravindran]

Brilliant!

[@noureddineessalah7393]

This is awesome thanks

[@jbb5470]

Nice build and great video! I want to build a kitchen table for a friend that just went through a fire and lost everything. This table design will work great. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and plans!

[@africanredemption15]

Awsome. Happy wife happy life. ☺

[@liemqnguyen]

OMG, You are freaking AWSOME ! , "RIP Ryobi" LMAO

[@LRN2DIY]

liem nguyen YOU'RE awesome, man. Thanks for always checking in on my projects and being supportive!

[@manuelnieto3067]

Beautifull table

[@cssweatman]

Beautifully done. I do have to confess that I found myself trying to eyeball your bookshelf.

[@akasp74]

Beautiful !!!

[@Dermuu]

Great video

[@michaelromero8057]

AWESOME!! Dude, Im going to try to do the same table...BTW, you kind of resemble Astros Alex Bregman.

[@chaplainand1]

I use GRK washered lags with #40 star drive. Thanks.

[@MotoBrit]

Nicely done - Gonna give this a go... will let you know how it goes. Comment noted about the lip/expansion issue. Many thanks.

[@realist8082]

excellent!

[@fredmauro7804]

very nice

[@josedeida8919]

Great job

[@jamespatrick1548]

I wouldn't work at all the get the top perfectly flat. I prefer a little undulation and natural movement on the top as well as the rest of the piece. About 15 years ago, I saw a dark wooden table at a Ralph Lauren store and the top had the most incredible feel to it. It was silky smooth but still felt like wood, not a fake or foreign finish. It undulated ever so slightly all the way across. It was incredible. It was also $18,000 if I recall correctly. : (

[@robertneese29]

Nice job

[@riocahyadi1135]

bagus desainnya

[@JohanlastZa]

RIP Ryobi....after 15 years!!. Not bad for a tool that only has a 2 year guarantee (well in South Africa anyways). Nice job BTW

[@ryannelson9523]

I think I would do ½ inch dowels on the table top instead of pocket screws the pocket screws are not as strong of joint so could have problems in the future just my humble opinion great job though love the table

[@alexbiel4471]

I am so happy I came across this video. Looking for a project to try out and this is a perfect start. One question about the finish. After the coats of poly are on and sanded, for the last coat did you just leave it as is? Sand it with a very high grit? I’m curious if there is a sealer that anyone can recommend after the urethane coats have been applied. Thank you so much and can’t wait to get started

[@decon4611]

Great job!

[@MrBorisuri]

Nice design. I m gonna start this project for my new house.

[@scottparsons766]

Thanks for this video it was very simple plans and instructions i would upload a pic of mine but im not sure how but thank you anyway it turned out great for my first project

[@fvids1603]

White pine is what most box stores carry its soft, Doug fur is a structural pine hard and strong. Not sure what the reclaimed pine was . Just fyi . Nice looking table

[@jonlaurin1373]

I like the lap joints on the skirt boards

[@ydnark83]

"I used douglas fir, its a softer wood" douglas fir is actually one of the hardest softwoods. pine and cedar are much softer

[@LRN2DIY]

Right - it's soft compared to the hardwoods but one of the more tight grained and harder softwoods.

[@renaissancemen1]

All said in done, Potery Barn table $2500. Your table $5000. $300 for mats, plus tools, and most importantly YOUR TIME!!!!!!!! Great job btw.

[@lucaspellicer]

Beautiful desk! How is it holding up 6 years later? Any bending?

[@rokpodlogar6062]

love the stain. looks like a might oak.

[@garris72]

Great looking table. Going to give it a try. If it goes well, I will attempt to make a matching bench! If you go on the Pottery Barn site, they show the matching bench. Would love some help on the dimensions! Cheers!

[@SeanLewis10]

Can you send me the link to the actual table? I can't seem to find it on the PB website anymore.

[@MrGeno3535]

Looks good. But how would you get it anywhere in the house? Bulky and heavy af lol.