Harvest table – the construction of it

Micah

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Here are some photos of the table and a bit of detail how I put it together. Made from my head, built as I went by the seat of my pants.
First I fitted 4 boards together and temporarily strapped them. This has no biscuits in it, not even glue. The strapping on the bottom holds them together at both ends and in the center with screws and glue.
Next I flipped it upside down and measured out the dimensions for the skirting and then cut new dimension knotty pine to make a box. I cut the skirting around the center straps because I wanted maximum strength holding the 4 boards together.
Then I went looking for legs… What to use, what to use. I saw some nice maple logs in my firewood pile I had yet to block so I picked some and cut even length legs with my chain saw, yes they were that accurately cut with no further adjustments 😀
Once I had them in place I then decided how I would fasten them to get them strong enough. Carriage bolts was the answer and so far the table is quite sturdy. Funny though to use hardwood legs with a softwood table top… You use what you got right?!
Next I got to planing. I purchased a new 2 inch Jack plane for this and took off several layers of pine to get the table generally flat and remove the worst of the bumps – ran over a few old nails while I was at it.
Finally I used an orbital sander to take the edges off and further smooth it – though it's still quite distressed just from its original use,the top boards were the floor in our old house.
Then I finished it with my bees wax / olive oil finish which you can read about on my blog in another post.
It's dealt with many spills so far and kids banging and crashing and painting and colouring on it. Here's to many years of torture and further distressing!
 
 

The seams are filled with wood filler
For the most part smooth, the line of darker colour is extra sealant that soaked in unevenly. Doesn't really harm the overall look though
A look underneath at the skirt and the brackets used to fasten the skirt to the table top. Same method I used for our coffee table.
Look at the inside of the carriage bolts holding on the legs. It's unorthodox but it seems to work.

I have cross strapping I call it tying the top boards together at both ends and in the center. Also you can see some signatures and words written to commemorate its building

 

This is a ten inch wide strapping piece glued and screwed to the top boards to hold them all tightly together - I hope..

 

An outside look at the carriage bolts, two in each leg and so far it's a very sturdy table. Not the usual way to build one for sure but it seems to have worked.

 

A look at the end. No artificial distressing used here, but a little sanding and planing to make it more flat. It's not perfect but it has worked

 

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2 thoughts on “Harvest table – the construction of it”

  1. I love how the ends are unfinished, it really gives it that rustic feel. Looks great! I can’t wait to have a dining area as big as yours one day 🙂

  2. I actually don’t like the tables that have large end boards perpendicular with the regular top boards. And trim is just tedious. I find this is the way the original settlers probably made theirs. Simple, works, no need for anything too fancy. Definitely rustic with the round maple legs on it. It turned out well. I have a few cracks to fill with wood filler now that I see how its doing with food and wiping each day and such but other than that, its pretty much all i ever wanted it to be!

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