Farmhouse Table... how to build them correctly.

Prevent cracking and warping on your DIY farmhouse table by letting the wood move with changes in the environment. Many people are screwing the breadboard ends onto the main center piece of the table. This causes a bind as the wood tries to expand and contract with the changes is weather. This video shows you how to do it correctly so the wood can freely move and avoid any cracking or damage. I also show you what happened to one of my first tables that I build incorrectly with the screws.
Please comment or share this video if you know of someone trying to build or buy one of these tables!
Forgive my bad video taping and editing. This is my first KZbin video and I'm just now learning about video editing and posting on KZbin. It's much harder than I thought!

[@glennryzebol4472]

i made a table the wrong way last winter for a friend and suffered the consequences of my ignorance. This is a great video. I already knew what i did wrong but still a very informative video and you are 100 percent correct Robert. Don`t worry about your cinemetography. We are wood workers, not movie directors. Your camera work is good.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Glenn Ryzebol Well, it's all filmed from my cell phone. When i watch some oof these other guys videos, it looks like Hollywood quality editing. I'm a little jealous! Lol

[@glennryzebol4472]

It looked fine. Don't be

[@cpenn9304]

I’m glad you did this.I’ve watched people build tables knowing what is going to happen and been told “I bought my lumber at lowes it’s dry.Put it in a house with heat in winter and a/c in summer and it will really get dry.My own rule of thumb is don’t cross the top.

[@bryonlynn3724]

you did a very good job of explaining this process thankyou very much for posting

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Bryon Lynn thank you. I appreciate the kind comment. I hope it was helpful.

[@swampfox1953]

Thank you for the info.

[@kathrynliu74]

Happy I watched you, watched many on farmhouse tables, all did the way you did on your 1st table... thank you for taking the time showing how it should be done... 👍🏻👌

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Hope it helps!

[@Natedoc808]

You got the pocket screw right on the head. I just mentioned this issue in the comments section of a “farmhouse table diy” video and tips on how to do it correctly.... and immediately came under fire for being a hater etc etc. then luckily some folks chimed in saying they followed the video and their tables ripped themselves apart in the spring! Lol. Never enough time to do it right but plenty of time and money to do it twoce

[@12raven34]

Thank you for being informational without being condescending to those who are still in the learning process.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Man, I'm still learning too. I don't think this is a skill that you ever stop learning new tricks and techniques.

[@efrenpelayo9018]

Lmao

[@jimh472]

This was some of the best woodworking advice I have found. Many thanks.

[@BradTate]

Thank you very much sir, for making this video. I am going to build one of these for my wife as a surprise, and I had seen some videos that used kreg screw joinery on the breadboard ends. Being a novice, that was my plan as well, even though some of the videos had mentioned they'd do it differently if they had it to do over. My wife thanks you for a table has a slightly smaller chance of cracking!

[@j.ericswede7084]

For a first video you did very well Mr. Termite. Keep up the good work. Content is King. And you filled this video with content.

[@green-zone36]

Thanks this is a great video. If I could add one point to maybe help a little. When choosing lumber at the lumber yard, I look for vertical grain on the ends of the planks. Wood expands and contracts most along the grain. The result of having more vertical grain is less movement across the width of the table top. The table top will get a little thicker and thinner with seasonal changes but it is only over 1 1/2" and will be unnoticeable. Vertical grain would be "quarter sawn" planks. Horizontal grain would be "flat sawn" planks. Hope this helps when choosing lumber. One last point, flat sawn planks are more prone to cupping than quarter sawn.

[@jimssawsnstuff8903]

Good job. Lots of food for thought.

[@Splixzer07]

THANK YOU! I'm going to start my build later today. I only stumbled upon your video and this will prevent me from making the same mistake my friend made which is exactly what he did with the pocket screws and his table is cracking. Thank you for the video, extremely helpful, so glad I bought my biscuit jointer the other day.

[@ahsanshami]

Good stuff. Am about to make a long farmhouse table with breadboard ends and this helped avoid a problem I didn't know about. Thank you.

[@ZachMontizor]

Great video, super helpful. Love that you show the different possibilities of how to do the job!

[@rickpatterson5101]

Thank you for taking the time to make this. I've had many failures in woodworking and the breadboards were one of them. I try to justify a Domino everyday and you just gave me one more reason. Keep up the good work!

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Rick Patterson I love the domino machine. Lots of other woodworkers seem to have a problem with it. "It not real wood work. " Maybe it isn't. But it sure is fast. I think the best thing is to learn both methods. I'm still working on improving my skills. I wish I were Sam Maloof, but I'm not. I do what I can within my skill set.

[@healthnut3433]

Fabulous! None of the other videos I've watched show this. Yes, wood is a tree. They move! :) Thank you.

[@BrentSends]

Extremely helpful, thanks for taking the time to make this!

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

You're very welcome!

[@atteljas]

Wow! I wish Id known this method when build my farm house table. But now I know. Thank you! 👍👍👍

[@pepekaliwete]

Good job man! I learned a lot. I'm just a beginner and you gave me some really good pointers.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Glad it helped!

[@dadset]

Thanks for the video. I was going to use pocket hole screws. You just saved me a lot of trouble. Great video.

[@mrmike3657]

Good video. When I first saw it was a 20min plus video I wasnt excited bc a lot of people talk too much but all the info was great and the time flew by. Then you hit us with the "this is my first video" and I was even more impressed! Haha got yourself a "like" and subscriber. Thank you.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

This comment made it worth it!

[@jefftucker8584]

U did well. Just would have liked to see the finished product. Good camera work for your first time. Keep em coming!

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffkrug5541]

You did a great job in explaing and showing on your video. Your also down to earth and make new woodworkers feel good about their skills. I have subscribed and wait for more videos

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Wow... i appreciate the comment!

[@fredrestrepo6064]

Fernando, thank you so much for taking the time to explain as clear as you did. I want to build this style of dining table and I want to learn as much as I can before I attempt to build one. I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into this.Happy New Year to you and your family!

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Fred Restrepo build your table and send me a picture! You can do it! Thanks for the nice comment and I hope you have a happy New Year as well!

[@madarain]

Nice job. It was obvious to me that you know what you're doing.

[@robertpatrene2540]

That demo is just what I needed ,I’m new at this &haven’t built anything yet ? Keep up the easy to understand videos 👍 &simple.🇺🇸🎃

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Robert Patrene glad it helped. Just do it man.... build something!

[@sugarandpennythepooh1211]

You did great! I want to build a farmhouse table now!

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

You can do it!

[@susangoodman2611]

This is a real good video. I got lots of information with all you shared. I have all things festool on my wishlist.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Don't we all! Love their stuff, it's just so expensive. I am glad you enjoyed the video.

[@foxglovemead]

Like the first video. I watched similar videos and yours put across the main points well. Two “improvements” might be: turn the table top upside down before adding the breadboard - the dowels will be underneath and not shown in the final assembly. The centre biscuits could also be pinned to the main table top, then you could plane or lightly sand the breadboard to introduce a small amount of bow. When the centre section is fixed, the outer sections would have a springiness to close up gaps towards the edges. Finally, before assembling the breadboard the edges could receive a finish e.g. a bevel (if required) that is harder to add (subtract) later. Because the biscuits are homemade they could be made longer for the middle pair to increase strength of the joint (greater glue area). Another way to make the slots in the biscuits is to ruse a router and match the holes to slots afterwards. A floating breadboard and fixing the table top with care (e.g. only using screws in the middle at each end is the way to go). Simon

[@327DeAd]

Great video. Very informative!

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thank you!

[@DMM-cv5fh]

Thank you for showing solutions other than Festool, I dont have enough kidneys to donate! LOL Good video and will make my project much better. I am building a whole dining room set for a client who taped and mudded by basement in exchange. The last thing I want is for my table to crack for a client, I have always known about wood movement but never built anything so large that the movement was an issue. Thanks again!

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+David Hechler There are alternatives yup any tool. I like using the Festool for speed and convenience, but it doesn't do anything that I couldn't do before I had one. You can even do the whole thing with hand tools if you have the patience. Good luck on your project. Trading out work is always awesome. I'd like to see your chairs. I'm about to do a chair project myself.

[@DMM-cv5fh]

Absolutely, once I get it finished I will post pics, also I may end up doing benches. My client hasn't decided yet, but I will definitely look for any chair videos you post in the future.

[@saiket1735]

When I did it, I didn't know about Kreg jig, and I couldn't afford any of the fancy tools mentioned in the video, so in order to make tension joints, I drilled 3 holes to the same depth, then chiseled them out to make mortises. My project used only 3 powered tools because I only had 3 powered tools, a miter saw, a circular saw, and a powered drills.

[@patleddy6837]

Thanks for posting, terrific 1st video. I will be purchasing my first plundge router soon and a similar project will be in the works.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Best of luck! You will feel great about it!

[@curtiswaugaman4787]

Remember to alternate grain directions on the ends.

[@brendandowney6950]

Curtis Waugaman 1st thing I seen apart from that excellent job

[@MrTiberig]

Thanks for the great video. Dont believe it's your 1st one 😋. I am in the same hobby situation like you and I really learned something here 😎.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+MrTiberig definitely my first. I'm glad you got something out of it! Hope you have a great new year!

[@MrTiberig]

Termite Woodwerx thank you. Wish you all the best for the new year. We got 4min left in Germany

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+MrTiberig wish you the best as well! Hope you're new year is healthy and prosperous!

[@privateuploads-geo2625]

Very nice video. Thank you for sharing. Excellent info that I was not aware of.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Glad it helped!

[@richardpalk5429]

Great job. Would love to build my own table. Thank you for sharing.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Richard Palk As Nike would say... "Just do it! "

[@alcarey8084]

Great video, very informative. I have a question about the main table boards though. You had the grain all running in the same direction, that is the curve of the grain all ran in a U shape from bottom to top. Have you had any problem with the tabletop cupping because of that? I made a coffee table that way and it cupped and someone from a local woodworking club said I should have alternated the grain in an up, then down pattern to minimize the cupping. I will say that it was extremely humid all that summer and that could have been a contributing factor.

[@craigpierson7675]

Thank you! By far, mistakes are the best learning tool. I often tell people I can fix most anything because I've learned from my many mistakes. Great video!

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thank you sir. I appreciate the comment!

[@PreachingtheTRUTH.]

the movement does not happen near as bad if you seal it. I built one several years ago with home depot pine 2 by 12's and stained it and covered it in 4 coats of polly and it still looks exactly the same. If the table was left unfinished then it will move a ton, but if the wood is not exposed to the atmosphere or whether it will not move that much. Not a noticeable amount anyways.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

This table that is cracked was sealed with polyurethane. It still moved. It's a little slower to move, but eventually it will find balance with the weather.

[@qzeeen1]

Great job, thanks for the info. Hope to see more from you.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+James Simmers thank you! Working on some more stuff. My real job gets in the way. Lol

[@thejoshthat]

Thought it was awesome man! Great job! I watched it just like any other woodworking video! And you popped up in my feed for the relevant information. Keep it up!

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thank you for you kind comment. I am glad you enjoyed.

[@TheJCinator]

Thanks for the good info in here. I'm wanting to start on one of these soon, and wanted to use dowels to edge join the tabletop. I guess they're not going to be a good solution for the breadboard.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

I hope I've saved you some pain. The dowels will certainly give you problems.

[@iainohalloran42]

Thank you for your video but you got me thinking if the dewalt router is the poor mans festool then the hammer and chisel must be the peasant mans tool. Once again thank you for your video I really enjoyed it and I’ve subscribed to your channel 👍🏻😊

[@Setitoffful]

I made my first table the incorrect way.... I even used glue along with pocket screws for support.... Hopefully it waant crack... Thanks for the tips

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Good luck. If your particular area doesn't have a lot of changes in humidity, it might survive. Here in Houston... not so much.

[@matth9169]

Thanks for the insight, very helpful

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thank you for watching.

[@khrisblair8788]

Thank You for this video.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Khris Blair You're welcome! Hope it helps.

[@peterc7327]

Thankyou for the insight, would like to see how you do the base.

[@MixingGBP]

Thank you for explaining this. Pocket screws have their place in the shop, but not on a table top, IMO. @18:23 I've even seen some people drill the hole in the tenon purposefully offset from the breadboard hole so that the dowel pulls the breadboard towards the table boards more tightly.

[@103aec]

Great info! Thank you for sharing your mistakes so others can benefit. Very helpful.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Aaron Cooke Glad you like it. I Hope to have more in the near future.

[@jrod5113]

Did you use table top fasteners on your first table that slit?

[@jefflye8679]

How has this breadboard jointety held up??? Hoping to start on my table soon and would love to follow your lead, if you're still happy with your table?

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

They've held up pretty good except for one thing... the center section expands and contacts with the weather. The breadboard does not. You can cut them to the exact length when you build it, but eventually, the table and the breadboard will be different widths. Drives me nuts. I will not build another table with breadboard ends.

[@reloadNshoot]

I think the most imporant tip i can recommend is DON'T use crappy construction lumber for furniture unless you take the time to dry it to a single digit number and then surface all 4 sides square with each other. If you cook with $3 wine and subpar ingredients the outcome will never be as good as cooking with a great wine and quality ingredients. Using a 2x6 pine board from Home Depot with 19% moisture content is like putting lipstick on a pig.

[@ghmosier]

Great job sir! Thanks!

[@Bullmoogle]

How to join $30 of wood with a $1000 Festool Domino lol. Seen this video all over KZbin

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

I'm sorry you feel that way.

[@bigdavemills]

Those dominos look a bit small for such a large breadboard. Lots of stress on those little guys to hold. Curious if they have held? Great introductory video for those looking to do this.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Michael Orlando I've made a bunch of them this way and I've never had a problem. You can actually sit on the breadboard end and it won't break.

[@killingoldgrowthsince]

The table apron holds theme up.

[@mikewest712]

I still not sure how i feel about dominoes for bread board ends. a traditional Mortise and tenon is best for table tops. All of the Construction grade lumber tables will fail, and the rustic tables will decline in popularity.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Mike West you may be right. I actually don't like breadboard ends at all. They only look good the day you cut them and then become uneven when the wood starts to move. I've done some tables with the traditional morose and tennon, but its super time consuming. My wife actually hates these tables. See calls them picnic tables. Funny thing is, if I build a traditional style table out of cherry... no one wants it. People actually prefer this stuff. I don't get it. So far, I haven't had any problems with the dominos holding up. I guess time will tell.

[@killingoldgrowthsince]

I'm with you Mike, if built right there's no problems with warping or cupping.

[@logoTMM]

Hats off to you sir... Those 22:57 minutes were well spent... Honest approach is the best approach... Thanks...Keep up the good work...

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thank you sir!

[@stonesj1519]

Nice build

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Joe Stonestreet thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@SARSteam]

WOW, this is a fantastic vid loaded with good tips!! Would love to see more from you. I intend doing a table in same way as yours. I would love to share it with you once I am done. Thanx a mil from South Africa...

[@markmathews5117]

I build cabinets for work and want a domino for faceframe work. Seeing your video makes me want to build some tables for side work. With the domino it would make fast work of the rails and legs also. Great first video by the way.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

The domino is a great efficient machine. I've built cabinet face frames with it and it's super fast and accurate. You'll love it if you get one, but just don't tell anyone. People seem to have an angry reaction when you use festool.

[@lesliehampton5458]

Not bad for first attempt. Keep em coming. You'll be a polished pro before you know it.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thank you! Im working on it.

[@scottderek9707]

great job

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thank you!

[@MAgaSUXX]

How did you attach the main boards?? pocket holes??

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Just plain ol' glue.

[@jsosa1957]

nice job

[@eyeswideshut2800]

@1:33 I'm giving you props already, people are gluing and nailing and doweling like wood doesn't move.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thank you! Most people just don't know.

[@Art_With_Connie]

How did you connect the main boards of the table top together

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Just plain ol' wood glue.

[@robertperkins8508]

Good points on your video but I have also made farmhouse tables with breadboard ends and didn't have this problem. Did you use any type of stain or oil to seal the wood?

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Robert Perkins yes, they are stained and then they get a final 3 coats of polyurethane. Oil won't seal it. The movement of the wood can also depend on your climate where you live. If the wood is already dry and you live in Arizona, its not going to move much. Here in Texas, we have a lot of humidity and an ever changing climate. Wood moves a lot here. Projects that are indoors under constant air conditioning will have less movement than one in a house that opens the windows all the time. The other thing to consider is where you purchased the wood and how long has it sat since the tree was cut down. Lots of factors contribute to wood movement. In your area itty might not be a big problem. Different parts of the country will affect the wood in a different way.

[@kevinwhitlock5646]

Great video! After buying the wood, did you wait and allow the wood to dry more before starting the project?

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Jake Christie Yes! I typically let it sit in my garage for about a month before I stay working on it. However, no matter what you do, pine isn't a very stable wood.

[@richardharpster4260]

I'm a beginner...have made several pieces that luckily haven't had any issues yet. But I appreciate you taking the time to educate us...I want to build stuff that will last; so your video was very helpful. My wife is gonna kill you though....because now I have to go out and buy that tool that does the wedge cutting thingamabob...lol

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Some people don't have issues depending on the kind of climate they have in their area. Wood doesn't move much in Arizona since it's so dry there. Here in Texas, we have wild changes in humidity and wood moves a lot. All depends on your environment. Secondly.... no man's life has been made less happy by the purchase of a new tool!

[@dennisdownes9319]

This is an excellent video!! You explained slow and meticulously.......especially which holes get enlarged and what gets glued and what doesn't! Well done......DD

[@Randy-zk5cn]

Awesome video! I was really confused as to how to add the ends on. You have a subscriber!! Ty!

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thank you Randy!

[@stevesolbakken6365]

Thanks for the information. I have a question: can dowels be used instead of biscuits to join the breadboard to the tabletop using the same principle of tight holes in the center and larger holes as you work outward?

[@stuartjones7903]

No music,honest advice from your own mistakes and no b/s so excellent video for your first go ,waaaaayyyyy too many vidoes out rthere have ridiculous music to them but I am sure you made more and I hope that since you made the video 5 years ago you have better editing camera and knowledge but well done

[@edsweeney7266]

Completely off topic (but I'm enjoying your video), what airport are you near? I hear jets on their approach.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Houston intercontinental. They fly right over and make video taping a bit hard. Lol. I'm actually a pilot in real life.

[@edsweeney7266]

@@termitewoodwerx5896 Thanks for the response. Wow, my son and his family live in Humble. Are you an airline, corporate, or charter crew-member?

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Wow. I actually live in Humble/ Atascocita as well. I fly a Gulfstream 4 for a small charter company out of hobby airport. We have 12 airplanes and fly globally. Woodwork is my hobby.

[@edsweeney7266]

@@termitewoodwerx5896 A G4 for an office and a wood shop for a place to relax. Doesn't get much better than that. My career was 37 years at FedEx but on the ops management side-virtually all of it in ramp operations. Yep-Humble-Atascocita is where my son is: He's in a neighborhood in between Atascocita and Will Clayton just slightly west of Will Clayton.

[@austinjohn556]

I love all the poor man woodworking tips you show because I do the same things. They still work great and you don’t need a bunch of expensive tools.

[@davidvasquez3564]

Now you have a Shabby Chic Table.

[@BigDave71]

I like the homemade mortising jig. Beats spending $110.00 for one online. Nice job and thanks for helping us all.

[@5001mick]

I used to work in a lube shop and used my hand as a hammer all the time. then I got blood clots in my hand. They call it mechanics hand. Ended up with 2 more clots in my legs also. use a rubber mallet to beat that bread board in, clots are no fun. Good video thanks.

[@brentgolden2991]

How are the table (longboards) top boards connected? Biscuits and glue?

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

I personally used some smaller dominoes for alignment because I didn't have a biscuit joiner. But that would work just the same. It's just for alignment. The glue holds it together.

[@jackgentile2417]

So can the long boards of the table still be fastened with pocket screws??@@termitewoodwerx5896

[@ajhulsey7774]

I have a table that a "friend" made for me and I paid $300 for it unfinished....it split down the length of the table after a few months as well as both end breadboards are coming off. Beyond irritating....

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Yep... and people refuse to believe it's a problem. Sorry this happened to you.

[@gerhardloewen955]

how do you join the other boards do u just glue them together

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Gerhard Loewen. Basically, yes. The boards where milled on a jointer to make the edges nice and straight. I did use some small dominoes in between the boards, but they are only there for alignment. They don't really contribute to overall strength and they aren't necessary. The glue alone is super strong.

[@MadeByMartyn]

You have answered a longstanding question I've always had about differential movement - and your solution is what good solutions should be: simple. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

I'm glad you found it interesting!

[@casdunn6707]

I have a question and it might be stupid but I'm a newbie. How do I get the top built so it doesn't have cracks goid and crumbs get caught in. I'm ready to tear mine apart because it always looks dirty

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

The dimensional lumber you buy at the home store house rounded edges. I think the only thin you could do is to cut the edges off with a table saw so that you have sharp 90 degree corners before you clue up the top. Then you would have to sand the top down so that you wouldn't have any lines in between the boards.

[@williamvarnell3158]

If you have a table saw then you will set your TS fence to slice off just enough to remove the radius (rounded) edge on both sides of each board (except the outside edge of the outside boards) where you actually want that softer edge, this is approx 1/4". Per cut or 1/2" per board, so depending on how many boards you are using , this will effect the overall width of the table, so make the width of the table base with this in mind or you may not have any overhang left to work with for the aprons!. My advise is that unless you are building an outdoor " picnic table" or you don't mind spending a lot of time cleaning crumbs and spilled milk and coffee out of all those crevices, (something a lot of people don't realise till its to late) this is the only way to build the top.

[@tindrums]

If you are not very particular about natural wood grain finish (inexpensive boards) then you can use a laminate over the entire surface. This is if you prefer utility to appearance. Another way is to use a thick glass top.

[@alancaballero4092]

Trim the rounded edges as others had mentioned and joint the edges.

[@josetenorio3731]

Nice job...but I do want to know if the dowels are on top of the table or the bottom, or does it matter..n thank u for the very informative video.

[@shankyxyz]

how about using a dowel joint. Then on the breadboard side make the dowel holes a little bigger by using a drill and centering it around the actual center?

[@bobcolorado3491]

Thank You

[@lapisredux]

or alternatively don't switch on your heating in the winter.

[@tommaher5709]

Hi......How do you recommend attaching the table top to the legs to assist with the movement etc?

[@corbinbrightbill1210]

You did a great job! This was so informative and you helped to answer a lot of the questions I had about how to ACTUALLY build a tabletop with a breadboard. Thank you! Do you have a video on how you made the planked part of the table?

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Not yet, but I will be making one soon. Ned to finish organizing my shop. I plan on doing a complete farm table build with minimal tools.

[@corbinbrightbill1210]

Looking forward to it!

[@carlm6449]

hi, just starting with wood working as well, so there are mistakes a plenty here. thank you for sharing. oh and good luck with the youtube thing.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thank you. I think it doesn't matter how long you've been doing this. You'll always make mistakes. It's a never ending learning experience.

[@linkmccormick8871]

I appreciate u taking the time to show us this..

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

Thanks for watching!

[@jasonstroh5531]

Would a biscuit joiner work?

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

For assembling the table top, sure. The biscuit joiner doesn't do much for strength, but it's great to keep the boards aligned during glue up. If you want, you can just glue the table top boards with nothing between them. The glue is strong enough. As for the breadboard ends... No, a biscuit joiner will not work.

[@jefftorres3990]

Oh one last question, I'm new also, what kind of bit would you use in that router?

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

I use a 3/8" Spiral UPCUT bit. I know it will be tempting to buy a home depot bit, but DON'T!! They are all junk. Order one online from a good company. I use Freud and I'm really happy with them. Makes a world of difference when you use a decent bit.

[@stewartandrews8528]

Jeff Torres iii

[@slomo1562]

Jeff Torres , For what little it's worth, go search the New Yankee Workshop trestle table. Make a stub tennon the full width of the table with a router and rabbeting bit. Cut a groove in the breadboard on the tablesaw with a dado stack or use a straight bit with a router setup. I promise it will be so much quicker! Peg the breadboard onto the table end with short dowels which do not go all the way through. Be sure to dry fit then drill the holes. Remove the breadboard then elongate the holes on the tennon- side to side. If your breadboard has a stop groove, trim off an inch of tennon on both ends. Good luck!

[@MrKen-wy5dk]

360p upload in a 4:3 format from the 1970's???

[@Staggsrmac]

New sub! Would using a biscuit joint not work here or is that the same thing?

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+37South Vintage Restorations the biscuit joiner might look like a similar machine, but its quite different. Biscuits are great for alignment purposes, but really don't provide much strength. This machine actually makes real mortise and tennon joints that are crazy strong.

[@Staggsrmac]

Termite Woodwerx thanks for the info

[@stoutfarmhousedesignsmlcpr9154]

I think you're explaining an issue about a table you kept in your garage. I have built plenty of tables that didnt have this problem just by simply picking the right boards. Stop just grabbing any board.

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

That could also depend on the climate you live in. Doesn't matter which board you pick here in Houston, they all shrink and grow with the seasons.

[@fraygulrock2806]

This is really one of the best videos I have watched. Either I'm watching something with everyone yelling it's done wrong or something way too advanced for people just starting. You explain everything so well. Sounds like you started like a lot of us and I would like to see what you have learned along the way. I'm somewhere between let's throw some boards together to sit on for a couple years and I want to build something that doesn't look terrible to people who know what it should look like. hahaha. I subscribed so if you do want to share what you know, I can watch :D

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Fray Close wow. That's awfully kind of you to say. I'm by no means an expert. I'm pretty low on the woodworking totem pole, just learning as I go. I definitely want to do some finer projects but I don't feel my skill is up to it yet. I'm actually terrified of working with really fine wood because they are so expensive and I don't want to turn nice wood into scrap. I'm definitely going to be doing some more videos. I have a handful of ideas that I'd like to share with the KZbin world. This isn't what I do for a living so it's hard to find the time I need to film some projects. I hope I am able to help some people out there, or at the very least, I hope someone out there watches a video of mine and goes out and builds something. My big goal is to convince people that they can do this too.

[@christob40]

Agree. Everyone starts somewhere and has to be taught one way or the other. Great job explaining at a normal level that anyone can understand.

[@jcchrissmith0007]

Question for you: You didn't show the joining of the long table top boards. Did you use dominoes to join your long table top boards? And....... BEFORE you bought your Festool ............ did you ever use your plunge rourter and tenons to join it? Thanks.....

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

The top is just glued together. Nothing fancy. Biscuits work really well to keep them aligned, but glue is more than enough to hold it together. But to answer your question... yes! Before the Festool, I did the exact same operation with a regular router. In the video I showed the jig I used to make all the mortises identical.

[@marinenurse04]

That thing is a biscuit joiner on steroids

[@termitewoodwerx5896]

+Sean Forquer It might look like one, but it operates differently. Biscuits are great for alignment, but they actually don't help to strengthen the joint at all. This machine actually makes mortise and tennon joints in seconds which is pine of the strongest joints in woodworking.