How to Build a Simple DIY Dining Table With Laminated Walnut Top

DIY Dining Tables are EVERYWHERE. So the project itself isn't anything ground breaking. However, I've made several in my woodworking career and learned a little something new each time. Since I'd never made a dining table video (except for one outdoor table), I thought I might as well share my experience and how I put them together.
I made a similar table several years ago, but this time, I wasn't using construction lumber for the top--I was laminating 4/4 walnut boards to make a 1 1/2" thick table top. I share my table top building process plus how how easy it is to assemble a nice table base using these premade table legs from Timberwolf Forest Products.
You can check out my full tutorial for building table tops here:
www.woodshopdiaries.com/whats...
My full tutorial for building table bases here:
www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-f...
And a link to these table legs used in this video here:
timberwolfforest.com/products...

[@WhiteLabWorkshop]

I’m glad you mentioned wood movement making pocket holes not a good choice. That’s where a lot of people go wrong, so great job pointing that out. The table looks great!

[@saranjesse23]

Awesome job, I try to convince my wife that she has the capability to do stuff like this. I’m going to show her your videos and prove that she can! Thanks so much

[@WoodshopDiaries]

If I can do it, she can do it!! I’m self taught with a lot still to learn. It’s a process. Learn some, apply it. Learn some more, apply it. You don’t have to know everything to get started. You just have to start 😊

[@debiallen4053]

Yes she can! If I can, anyone can. 65 y.o. just started in spring this year and I can build more than I ever expected. She can do it!

[@coreytohme9861]

Almost all of the videos I have watched on building tables are either pretty low quality with subpar construction practices, or over the top for most part time or DIY guys/gals. I felt that this video hit that sweet spot of building a table the right way that looks awesome without getting as complicated as a professional furniture maker with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of tools would. Thanks for the link to the plans as well.

[@AlegnaAjai]

Wish I had the ability to do this to make me a desk ..love the legs

[@WoodshopDiaries]

You definitely can!!

[@ashleyh5225]

I've watched hours and hours of videos on dining tables and wood movement over time has been the one thing keeping me from building my own. Your videos always have me itching to go play in the garage lol

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Ashley H 100% honest...I’ve built a ton the “wrong way” and nothing exploded. Nobody died. I’ve had one crack a little over time, but I built the top for $50 and if I have to replace it after five years, I think I can manage another $50. So many experts will scare you away from trying. Screw that. Build something. Learn from mistakes. Save a buck by building your own...even if you have to rebuild it five years later. It’s just a table. And a crack or a bow isn’t the end of the world.

[@ashleyh5225]

@@WoodshopDiaries this ^^ in a world of greed and unkindness, I feel like there are so few genuine people. Thank you for your kind words and sharing your successes, your missteps, and especially your building plans. ❤

[@bradleyhenady2032]

Wood movement is not nearly as big of a deal as people make. Just build it and enjoy it. If something did happen, you’ve already built it, you’ll be able to fix it too. Just don’t stress over it. It’s not that big of a deal.

[@ifollowjesus1667]

Another awesome build! Thanks for sharing!

[@carlosbaltagil1113]

I love your job, simply and efficent, my respect

[@hellonaam1884]

Hello., I really like and appreciate your work very much, the way your work you showing is commendable, keep making such projects, everyday I watch your projects and I love it., keep it up !

[@rickynazario1969]

Nice table … love it !!!

[@jenniferbell4571]

I have a very similar table that we bought 15+ years ago. It is not made with PH joinery, and it has a few cracks on the top from expansion and contraction... dry California, humid Florida, Virginia; and Texas have taken their toll. I actually kind of like the weathering of the top. It adds to the charm and patina. ;) Great video!

[@timdyer7692]

I really like the table! You did a very nice job explaining all the steps, keep up the good work!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Tim Dyer thank you!

[@Idiomas-A]

Thanks for allowing us these interesting projects.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thomas7WS thanks for watching!

[@myhoneyshandmade1077]

good job. I use z clips to allow for wood movement. Made our own soft maple top dining table two years ago. Still going strong..just need to refinish it, since I have teenagers.

[@marianolombardo246]

this table is wonderful 💯💯💯

[@debiallen4053]

Absolutely beautiful. I cant wait to make mine. Love everything about it. And doable for this energetic 65 y.o. woman. I hope!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Yay! Happy building!

[@jwstanley2645]

Thanks for the video and for an accurate link to the legs.

[@tomascastaneda2175]

Beautiful job

[@FredMcIntyre]

The table looks great Shara! 😍👌🏻 Awesome job! 👍🏻👊🏻

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Fred McIntyre thank you!

[@Jones572]

Beautiful❤️............Table 💯. You have a great eye for detail🤙🏾

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much!

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

I’ve still not ever built a dining table. LOL. I had two reasons I didn’t. One was because I worked for a table mom and pop company and it was kinda an unspoken agreement that I wouldn’t use what I was learning there to make tables and possibly take business away from them. The second was that it seemed very intimidating. That table company closed this year and…. Well… the second reason is just silly. So its time to build one. Just finished watching your newest video on the table build for your new home.. Thanks for sharing these

[@KB-sm6pj]

amazing job , thanks for being detailed in helping us understand so we can try to make one:)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Hope it was helpful!

[@lynjermey6423]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@123024119]

Great looking table. Nice job! 👍

[@WoodshopDiaries]

paolo castellano thank you!

[@mariapavao2729]

I love your work!

[@OnThisSideOfMidnight]

Very very nice!!

[@johnkelley9877]

The table is beautiful! You did a great job of building and finishing it. Thanks for sharing this.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

[@jasonlopez4214]

looks great nice Job

[@DesignsbyLiza]

New subscriber here!! Loved this built! Love the little details you added, thanks for the Inspiration. Asked about the legs and Saw that you added the link to it in description. So my comment will be edited lol

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Designs by Liza thank you so much!!

[@cherbee2460]

Nice job! I wish I had all the tools.

[@user-dz6wi6uk9o]

Excellent

[@kennymysak2079]

Great job and yes though fasteners are really nice. Just subscribed just came across your channel. Just a idea the next time you use these type of fasteners when you drill the spot I use my utility knife or my multi tool to clean it up. Keep up the great videos

[@lynknLogs]

Shara, I liked the beginning part of the video that was a little more vlog style. As always, nice work! I saw some cabinet carcasses in the background, perhaps next week’s video? 😀

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Michael Schnoblen thank you! I’m no video making expert so each one is a little different. Glad you liked it. And no video on those cabinet carcasses. That’s just a quick project for a family friend. Really boring. Not sure what the next video will be. Stay tuned haha

[@emmaliddell8507]

Es muy bonito lo recomiendo

[@mikesmith2102]

Nice table and great video. That is a really thick table top. $300 for the legs, $400 for table top @ $11bf (Rockler price). Again great table for about $800. Easily 3x that in a store.

[@jeanloreaud9282]

Très jolie table bravo à bientôt salut Jeannot 🛠😉

[@adamepb]

Watching the way you work and your methodology is like deja vu...truth be told, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Props for mentioning that what you do the way you do is your preference. Amén.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! There’s always a lot of critics but there’s so many ways to do things. Some MAY be better but others are just different

[@waynedeklerk956]

Love your videos 🙂

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much!

[@usc529]

Awesome video

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@staceylanham6644]

Love It!!!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much!

[@TylynnM_]

Nice video!

[@wolfbaker8415]

Good job nice build

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@nathanmartin3396]

AWESOME

[@5lowethechamp964]

Never seen u use a jointer. This is giving me hope to do similar projects👍😁

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I don’t have a jointer. I make do without it 👍 you just have to get creative and figure out how to work with what you got 😉

[@RachidBrico]

I like your style in videos i like your explications and how do you do avery things. Thank's a lot

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! I appreciate that!

[@durantetest]

Nice result. You could have biscuit-joined the top's planks in addition to the glue. That would help prevent or at least delay separation, twists, bends or cracks.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks! I don’t have a biscuit joiner, but that’s good to know

[@KB-sm6pj]

great job, God bless:)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! 😊

[@RELUvance]

11:55 Beautiful!

[@derekpeterson8005]

Once again, another beautiful build! A tip with the tabletop hardware: use a forstner drill bit instead of a chisel. It gives a much cleaner fit and finish, and it's quicker. I can't wait to see what you have up next, till then cheers!

[@cabman86]

Store bought legs is cheating! hehe. I bet that is one heavy table. Love it!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Haha it kind of is cheating. But I’m okay with it 😅 it was super heavy when finished.

[@cabman86]

@@WoodshopDiaries It turned out great! Have you ever thought of staggering the wood for the top? It would make it a lot stronger after gluing.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I did consider that…and I asked several woodworking friends with more expertise than I have and they both suggested doing it this way vs lapping the boards over.

[@richg2009rd]

It’s a beautiful table do you make the chairs 🪑?

[@katherinegingras4626]

That is an amazing table! Do you think 1x boards would do for the apron? 🤔 Thanks for sharing ☺️

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! 1x4s would be okay for a small size table, but if possible, I’d stick with the thicker boards as it’ll help prevent bowing in the middle

[@andriansyahdaulay5045]

Mantul...

[@GrabberBlue71]

Thanks for sharing this video. Just curious how much do you think all that walnut cost? Happy New Year!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much! I honestly don’t have any idea how much the walnut was. The customer I made this for runs a saw mill and gave me the wood to use for it. Also, prices vary by how rough you buy it and by location as well. It would best to check your local saw mill and ask them about pricing 👍

[@larrydaniels6532]

There are a few ways to take this table top to the next level. First, end grain is best hidden, a breadboard end will hide that end grain. Second,there are also several methods for hiding the long edge glue-up joint. Give it a try on your next table, nice work on this project!

[@RocketUsa]

Can you please let us know white color is a milk paint? I always have difficulty finding correct white paint for wood.

[@cesarhernandez4210]

👍

[@joebidenz4422]

What’s the worst injury you’ve had while making one of your projects? Great table !

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks! That’s an odd question....I can’t think of anything really off the top of my head. It’s mostly just splinters, smashing fingers on accident and little cuts and scrapes from just using my hands. Ive never had any major injuries from woodworking.

[@joebidenz4422]

Shara Woodshop Diaries well that’s good. How did you learn about woodworking?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I remodeled a kitchen several years ago and couldn’t afford a new 8ft table for it so I built it and just taught myself from there 👍

[@joebidenz4422]

Shara Woodshop Diaries awesome. You do great work.

[@SuperArbi007]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@carriejohnson7816]

That is stunning!!!! How do you price your commissioned work? Do you have a blog post on this that I am overlooking?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Carrie Johnson thank you! I don’t have a blog post on pricing. I usually end up in the hole on most stuff so I wouldn’t be a good person to ask for advice haha. I don’t do a lot of commission work and if I do it’s mostly just because I need content for blog posts and videos, so I don’t charge a lot.

[@carriejohnson7816]

@@WoodshopDiaries Thank you! It makes me feel better to know that I am not the only one who does that!!!!

[@GJ11598]

Is that polycrylic food safe? I got confused when you mentioned about if it was your table you'd make it food safe, but wasn't sure if this actually is food safe? Awesome build!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Sean Rachubka sorry for the confusion...what I meant was that if it was my table, I would have used a WAX instead of a POLY. It’s just not as durable, so I used a poly instead.

[@martinmailloux]

In the first table you built, where did you find the metal rod to hold the leg to the table ?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Martin Mailloux at a local farm store 👍

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

I’m curious how this table has held up? Was this something of yours?

[@bobkent1865]

Do you have a video on the 1st table you built that you showed at the beginning of this video?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I don't have a video as I hadn't started making videos way back then, but I have a really old blog post about it here: www.woodshopdiaries.com/farmhouse-kitchen-table-for-a-family-of-two/

[@heathmichael142]

Great video. I'm thinking about making a dining table with hardwood for the first time as well. About how much would you say your materials cost?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Heath Hensgens thank you! I was given the walnut from the people I made the table for so I’m not sure how much it would have cost if I bought it. But the base of the table cost about $325. And the table used about 36 board foot of lumber. So you can check your hardwood places for their prices per bf to get a good estimate for the top 👍

[@MCSapp-om8qv]

Hi Shara, I didn’t know where to ask you a general question so here it goes . What height is your table where you breakdown your plywood ? Thanks

[@WoodshopDiaries]

My workbench? Or my saw horses? My saw horses are adjustable height. I’d say I usually set them about 30” tall. I’ve never measured. But my workbench is the exact same height as my table saw table so I can use it as an out feed table. I believe it’s about 32”

[@MCSapp-om8qv]

Shara Woodshop Diaries Thanks

[@quentinsherratt7969]

💯🎯

[@MyrtleJordan]

Shara, did you paint the chairs? I want to paint my dining room chairs, they are now stained, but I want to paint them black. Any ideas on the best paint to use?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I didn’t paint them. They came painted black when I bought them. If I was painting, I’d prime with Kilz 2 or 3 then paint with a high quality paint. I like SW Emerald paint personally. But I’d try to find a sprayer or a friend with a sprayer because brush painting spindles is a nightmare.

[@badams83]

So I was looking on website does that price per foot or a pair.

[@Sandman60077]

This is the perfect woman!

[@CUONGNGUYEN-np6yp]

Can you please give me the info of the pocket holes tool you have in video. I like to get one like yours. Thank you.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-use-pocket-hole-jig/ www.woodshopdiaries.com/which-pocket-hole-jig-should-you-buy/

[@JamesWelbes]

Forstner bit would work better for those figure 8s.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

James Welbes you’re right, but I had spade bits already and didn’t want to buy a forstner bit. Also, I explained in the video why I stained underneath the paint. The distressing shows up better that way 👍

[@JamesWelbes]

@@WoodshopDiaries yeah I deleted that part of my comment after wards 😁

[@markrogers4084]

Just curious, how much did this whole table weigh?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

No idea how many lbs...but it was HEAVY

[@whitecollarworkshop]

Why not just get 8/4 walnut and mill it down and use biscuits when joining? Also, ever think about using different joining methods other than pocket screws?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

White Collar Workshop the customer had 4/4 walnut they wanted to use. So I just laminated it. I use other methods of joining occasionally depending on what I’m building. For this, pocket holes worked well and made this quick and easy to put together.

[@larrydaniels6532]

@@WoodshopDiaries For a table of this weight a good idea might be reinforcing blocks in all eight places where the legs contact the skirt, this would allow for really strong screwing directly into the legs and the skirt, the base would be many times stronger than 2 pocket screws on each skirt edge. This tabletop could have had been 1" boards with the perimeter built up, much like stone countertops.

[@dretech]

This pretty girl can build anything! Meanwhile, I'm scratching my head why my bench builds ain't straight😵‍💫

[@WoodshopDiaries]

You're too kind! I've just had a lot of practice and learned from a lot of mistakes haha

[@daniellerodriguez8061]

Where can I purchase plans for this table?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

You can grab the step by step instructions/plans here for free: www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-farmhouse-dining-table/

[@mz5491]

What table saw do u own???

[@WoodshopDiaries]

It’s a Grizzly cabinet saw. They don’t make the exact one I have anymore. It’s discontinued.

[@mz5491]

Thank you so much for replying 😭❤️ I want to make my son a table but can’t afford a cabinet saw. Also I live in Japan so Makita is more available. Can you please advise on if Makita table top mitre saw would be enough or if I should but Makita table saw??

[@irvinwittmeier5208]

!;-)

[@espjason]

Expensive legs

[@WoodshopDiaries]

jason sanders not compared to most others I’ve seen for this size.

[@drparks1061]

Why not just use 8/4? Genuine question

[@WoodshopDiaries]

You could. The people I made this for own a saw mill where they make flooring. They don’t mill anything but 4/4. So they gave me 4/4 to build the table.

[@drparks1061]

@@WoodshopDiaries that makes sense then! Thanks!

[@shanfree5074]

Did you go to carpentry school?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

No I haven’t had any carpentry classes

[@shanfree5074]

@@WoodshopDiaries Wow your work is amazing! I asked because I do little small projects and I'm constantly making mistakes and sometimes I get stuck on how to go back and fix them.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I have made (and still make) lots of mistakes. I just try and figure out ways to fix them and learn a little as I go 👍

[@billirey9459]

Very nice table. Thanks for sharing your build. It’s a shame that you talk so fast that it’s hard to understand and absorb what you are saying and how it pertains to the build. Distracting from an otherwise wonderful video.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@nicholasschrader2399]

I dont know about anyone else. But im soooo sick of these speeded up fake videos

[@WoodshopDiaries]

You’d rather watch hours of footage of someone gluing boards together?

[@jaimeacosta749]

👍