Benchright Industrial Farmhouse Table

Difficulty

Intermediate

Free step by step woodworking plans to make an industrial style Farmhouse Table. Features metal stretcher and lots of details to make your table interesting and unique.

We also have matching bench plans available here.

modern farmhouse table pottery barn benchwright knock off

Reader submitted photo by SGILLY

We've had quite a few requests for plans inspired by Reclaimed Wood Benchwright Farmhouse Table from Pottery Barn - I get it, not everyone has thousands to spend on a dining table. But if you are willing to put in the work (and it's fun work!) you can build a solid wood dining table for a fraction of the cost to buy.

The base is sized for a five foot long iron pipe, available at most home improvement stores in the plumbing aisles. There's tons of iron fitting that you could use to "dress" the table up with.

Similar Plan Option

We also have this table in a very similar look, but built using 4x4 legs.

Please take a look at that plan as well here.

Dimensions

Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List

6 - 1x6 @ 6 feet long

2 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long

2 - 2x4 @ 8 feet or stud length

2 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long

3 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long

3 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long

1 - Black Iron Pipe 60" long, both ends threaded Bolts/Caps and Washers for decorative touches

4 - 6" Black Bolts with washer and Nuts (1/4" would work fine)

Common Materials

2 inch screws

3 inch screws

2 inch finish nails

Elmer's Wood Glue

Elmer's Wood Filler

120 grit sandpaper

primer

wood conditioner

paint

paint brush

Cut List

Legs

4 - 1x4 @ 29 3/8" (Bevel both ends at 10 degrees off square, short point to long point)
4 - 1x2 @ 21 5/8" (Both ends cut at angle 10 degrees off square, short point to long point)
4 - 2x4 @ 29 3/8" (Bevel both ends at 10 degrees off square, short point to long point)
2 - 2x6 @ 28 1/2" (End Aprons)
2 - 2x4 @ 31" (Stretcher)
8 - 1x2 @ 4 1/4" (One end cut at 10 degree angle, longest point measurement)
4 - 1x2 @ 16 1/8 (cut to fit - spacer)

Table

2 - 2x6 @ 45 1/4" (Side Aprons - short point to short point measurement, both ends cut at 10 degrees off square)
3 - 2x2 @ 20" (Supports)
2 - 2x2 @ 67" (Sides)
2 - 2x2 @ 30" (Ends)
2 - 2x4 @ 33"
2 - 1x4 @ 33"
6 - 1x6 @ 67 1/8" (cut to fit)

Tools

General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

We'll start by making the legs. The most important part of the legs is getting your cuts right. Some of the cuts are bevels and some are angles, so pay attention in the diagrams. All angles will be ten degrees off square. Remember, you will need to assemble two sets of legs, and the legs are mirrors of each other. You can use finish nails and glue. Start by attaching the 1x4 to the top 1x2 as shown above.

Step 2

Now attach the 2x4 to the legs as shown above. Use glue and 2" finish nails - don't worry, we'll be further suporting this leg shortly.

Step 3

Now sandwich in the apron and stretcher as shown above. Stretcher will overhang 1/2" on each outside end.

Step 4

And now simply fill in the blanks.

Step 5

Step 6

And attach the supports - these will give you something to nail your top boards on too.

Step 7

I'd love to see these bolted on with a iron bolt for a little extra touch. Attach with 7 1/2" overhangs on ends.

Step 8

Now the end supports. Attach with screws and glue.

Step 9

Bolt the breadboard end on as shown above. Use 6" bolts with washers as done here.

Step 10

Nail down the 1x4 to the ends as shown here.

Step 11

And finally top with the 1x6s. Note, you can use other boards for the top, for example reclaimed wood boards for a more rustic look.

Step 12

Drill holes in the stretchers and add iron pipe. Use fittings to secure pipe in place.

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions

Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Help Improve This Plan

We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.

Project Type

Dining Table Plans

Room

dining room

Style

Farmhouse Furniture

Rustic Furniture Plans

Comments

Ana White

Thu, 01/19/2012 - 23:55

Cut list not matching diagrams

Hey everyone, sorry for any confusion. I just went through the cut list and diagrams, and the cut list is actually 1/2" less in width than the diagrams show to get the table down to 33" total width to match the width of 6 - 2x6 boards (33"). I hope this makes sense?

Guest (not verified)

Sat, 01/21/2012 - 04:21

We will be having our 10th

We will be having our 10th child in May, our current table is woefully inadequate. Structurally, would this exact design work for a 12 foot table or would it need some additional support? Many thanks

Guest (not verified)

Sat, 01/21/2012 - 15:40

so in building follow the dimensions

So in building this I would want to follow the dimensions on the cut list and scale down the diagram widths by 1/2" when referring to the diagram? I can do that simple enough. Thanks for the clarification.

Matt Palmer (not verified)

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 09:22

Type of Wood

Hey! Great plans, do you have a recommendation on type of wood that would most closely resemble the Pottery Barn table?

Thanks,

Matt

Rachel Pickens (not verified)

Tue, 01/24/2012 - 19:50

Two questions

Hi! My husband and I are so excited to have found your page with all of these great plans. We were wondering if you had a price estimate for building this table, and also as the previous commenter asked, what type of wood you would use?? Thank you so much!

Rachel

claydowling

Wed, 01/25/2012 - 05:54

Project pricing

Lumber prices are pretty radically different in different areas. You'll need to price them in your area to get a good idea. It also depends on where you buy the lumber from in your area. I can buy the lumber cheaper at a lumber yard than a home center.

As for the wood to use, buy pine or another softwood. If you're asking this question, you don't have the tools or techniques necessary for hardwoods. Of the softwoods, I most strongly recommend white or yellow pine. That means avoid anything labeled "whitewood" which may be spruce or fir. Yellow pine typically has a stamp on it somewhere (often the ends) with the letters SYP (Southern Yellow Pine). I don't know what the markings are for white pine, but if you go to an actual lumber yard (not a home center) and ask for it they'll be able to get it for you.

Look for No. 2 pine to get the most bang for your buck. It's not as clear as the Select & Better grade, but it's free of major knots and generally decent wood. It will have a lot less twisting and bowing. Home centers usually sell a grade lower (don't remember what it's called) that will be full of ugly knots and have a tendency to be twisted, warped and bowed.

wesleyjack

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 10:10

pipes

I just finished this table and a set of benches to match it and they turned out great. I followed these plans almost exactly. Mine is 1/2 inch narrower to accommodate the slightly narrower old barn siding I used for the top. It looks great and I am super excited about it. The only issue is that on the benches and the table the bottom spreader is about 57" apart not 60" so the pipes won't fit. I'm working on a solution to that and will do a brag post of these after I get them stained and sealed in two to three weeks.

Omar (not verified)

Wed, 03/07/2012 - 23:07

Table Built Stuck on Stain

Hi I've been working on this table for over a week now and its finally built. Like many I was inspired by the pottery barn table as well. What I have absolutely no clue on and could REALLY use some guidance is how to achieve the stained look? I used ash as my wood and really want to get near the color of this table or the one I saw on Shaunna's page. Can you help me and point me in the right direction?

claydowling

Thu, 03/08/2012 - 04:28

Stain selection

Try to find a store that sells General Finishes stains. Part of their sales display is a sample board showing how the stains look on a couple of different wood types.

I've been working with General's water based dyes and stains over the last month, and I've found them a lot better than what other manufacturers are offering. When I read the contents, I understood why. General is using the same formula I advocated over on my blog. I wish I could claim it's because they finally recognized my brilliance, but they were doing this long before I thought of it.

Britterz (not verified)

Thu, 03/29/2012 - 09:58

Benchwright Bench?

I just finished building this table and Oh My Goodness it is beautiful! I want to build benches for it, but I'm not a smartie and wanted to know if Ana or someone else has done this? Or has some dimensions for me? I will also be submitting my brag post soon :). Tip for those interested in building: Listen to Ana when she says to Read Through All Directions AND Comments Before Building!

BTW- Ana you are AWESOME!