4x4 Truss Beam Table

Difficulty

Intermediate

Build the truss beam farmhouse table! Free step by step plans from Ana-White.com

This beautiful solid wood table is sturdy and substantial. Built using off the shelf lumber, we love the truss beam detailing and angled legs. It's a beautiful table that will add that rustic look to your dining room.

We also have available the matching Truss beam bench plans

farm table benches

My friend Whitney from Shanty2Chic loved our Providence Table, but wanted a bigger version for indoor use, built using real 4x4 beams.

Here's from Whitney:

"Oh how I LOVE a great DIY dining table. Restoration Hardware wants $3000 for theirs, and I built mine for around $100 in wood. This table is big and beautiful, and I can't wait to serve my entire family at it!"

There's a ton of different ways this table could have been put together, but Whitney choose to use a Kreg Jig HD. Because the 4x4 is so big, it won't fit in the jig, so Whitney's solution was to use a clamp.

Whitney has provided lots more details on how she built this table and lots more pictures right here - please take a second to stop over and check it out!

And of course, the plans follow!

Enjoy!

XO Ana

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Dimensions

Dimensions shown above

Preparation

Shopping List

5 - 4x4 @ 8 feet long

2 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long or stud length

2 - 2x10 @ 12 feet long (tabletop boards - can be cut in half at store for easier transport)

1 - 2x10 @ 8 feet long (cut breadboards out of this board - can also use a 2x8 or 2x12)

Whitney used 2 1/2" Kreg HD Screws and a Kreg HD to build this table

You'll also need 2 1/2" pocket hole screws to put the tabletop together and to attach the tabletop to the aprons

Cut List

2 - 4x4 @ 35"

4 - 4x4 @ 25 3/8" (both ends cut at 10 degrees off square, long point to short point, ends ARE parallel)

2 - 4x4 @ 28 1/4" (both ends cut at 10 degrees off square, long point to long point, ends are NOT parallel)

2 - 4x4 @ 65"

2 - 4x4 @ 26 1/8" (both ends cut at 45 degrees off square, long point to long point, ends ARE parallel)

2 - 2x4 @ 65"

4 - 2x10 @ 68 1/2" (tabletop boards)

2 - 2x10 @ approx 37" (cut breadboard ends 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

Build two of the leg sets out of the 4x4s. Once you get one built, built the other on top of it so they match perfectly.

Step 2

Attach the two legs together with the center beams.

Step 3

Position the cross supports inside the table and attach to the top and bottom beams.

Step 4

Add the 2x4 aprons underneath for added support.

NOTE: We kept these flat to keep the look the Shanty girls were after, but to make this table stronger (especially if you were modifying the table to be longer) I recommend attaching the 2x4s vertically instead of flat. If you go this route, make sure you predrill 1 1/2" pocket holes facing upward in the aprons to attach the tabletop in the next step.

Step 5

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.

Project Type

Table Plans

Dining Table Plans

Room

dining room

Style

Farmhouse Furniture

Rustic Furniture Plans

Comments

momofour09

Mon, 09/23/2013 - 16:16

My husband will die!

I already have a partially finished table in the garage. But with what we need to buy to finish it I feel like making this one would make more sense. If I can convince him this will be on my "to do within this century" list. Whitney never ceases to amaze me and these look so much easier (not that the others are complicated) than some of the other tables. I have 4 kids so we need a sturdy table, no question.

dee708

Sat, 10/26/2013 - 19:16

Truss Beam Table - change width

I LOVE the Truss Beam Table! It's exactly what I've been looking for. However, I would love to build it wider than 37". I was thinking of using 3-10" boards and 2-8" boards for the top, plus 10" breadboards on the ends with more support underneath. I was planning to add 2 more 2x4s underneath for support of the wider width. Do you think this is doable? I've never built anything of this size before and I'm nervous to change the plan without more direction. I'd love any advice you could give... Thanks so much for sharing this!

wingnut2000

Wed, 04/07/2021 - 12:21

I built a table for my…

I built a table for my dining room similar to this one with one of Ana's plans and I am building another for my sister like this one. On mine and I plan to do on hers as well, I took and notched out the 4x4 out 1.5"x3.5" for the 2x4's to run past the 4x4 leg support and provide support for the bread board. Stop about 3 or 4" from the end of the table and I also cut the end of the 2x4 at a 45 to dress it up if someone looked under the table lol

Cindyclev

Fri, 07/18/2014 - 13:31

Paint color

Can you please tell me the color and brand of paint used in this dining room pic? It's beautiful! I am going to make this table too :)

3girlslater

Wed, 12/03/2014 - 18:07

expansion and contraction?

We are looking to build this table soon. Has anyone had problems with the top expanding and contracting? We live in the Midwest and it tends to be dry here in then winter and humid in the summers. Thanks for any help.

Newb

Fri, 09/04/2020 - 12:11

Yes. I used the typical wood…

Yes. I used the typical wood bought from the big box store and I had about 1/2 in contraction on each side.

bcole11

Tue, 01/06/2015 - 07:11

Other ways to join the table top

I see that the Kreg Jig, in this example was used to join the table top. Would it not be easier and/or better to use a biscuit joiner to join the table top 2x4s?

jhancock42

Tue, 01/06/2015 - 09:56

biscuit joiner

Yes, it is. Biscuits are great for alignment. Just make sure the edge jointing and glue up is done well. But just for the top. The biscuits would not work well strength wise for the butt joints used in this table.

Kreefreaza

Sat, 10/31/2015 - 17:28