Free plans to build a Farmhouse Table. This plan uses pocket holes and is the updated plan.
At our last book signing in Anchorage - thank you Anchorage, you were wonderful! - a couple came up to me and showed me an absolutely beautiful console table they made. Definitely the best part of the signings is when I get to see pictures and talk to people one on one.
And as we talked, the husband told me he had just returned from deployment, and how building furniture for their home had helped him adjust to returning home. He thanked me for putting plans out there that he could use.
And I thought, thank me? I need to be thanking you, for protecting our freedom.
Thank you, Veterans, for giving us freedom to live and pursue our dreams. And thank you, to those of you serving now, for continuing to make our country great. Happy Veteran's Day.
We certainly have much to be thankful for, don't we?
Are you celebrating Thanksgiving this year? It is definitely my most favorite holiday, with no exception. I love Thanksgiving and look forward to it all year.
If you are hosting Thanksgiving, what could be more true tradition than to serve a home cooked meal of thanks on a handmade harvest table? I'm guessing the folks back at the original Thanksgiving dinner made their own table too.
We of course have the perfect Farmhouse Table for you.
image from Country Living Magazine/photo by Lucas Allen
But with Thanksgiving just a couple weeks away, think you don't have time to build this table? Well, with special thanks to Hillary at The Friendly Home, we've made this table easier than every to build.
Hillary made this table with pocket holes instead of adding the 2x2 supports as done in the original plan, saving a ton of cuts and holes to be drilled, which saves time and money. Also, by using pocket holes, we hide most all of the screw holes, so a beautiful stained finish like Hillary's is very easy to do.
The easy to do pocket hole plan follows if you want to build this table. And as always, Hillary delivers a beautiful finish, and you can get all the details on how Hillary finished her table here. I love the stain color and will have to try it as well!
PS - Don't have a pocket hole jig? Here's the original Farmhouse Table Plans.
PSS - Have trouble finding 4x4s? Check out the book Farmhouse Table plans!
Preparation
4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
1 - 4x4 @ 10 feet long
4 - 2x8 @ 6 feet long
1 - 2x8 @ 8 feet long (breadboard ends)
1 - 2x10 @ 6 feet long
4 - 4x4 posts @ 29" (legs)
2 - 2x4 @ 67" (long aprons)
2 - 2x4 @ 27" (short aprons)
1 - 2x4 @ 74" (stretcher)
2 - 2x4 @ 34" (stretcher supports)
4 - 2x8 @ 70.5" (table top planks)
1 - 2x10@ 70.5" (center table top plank -- I had to use one 2x10 to get the right overall width)
2 - 2x8 ~38" (breadboard ends -- measure your joined tabletop before cutting these)
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
First, cut and notch out the 4x4s. If you can get your home improvement store to make square cuts, ask them to cut your 4x4s. Otherwise, you'll need a 12" (maybe a 10" will work too) miter saw or set your circular saw to the deepest possible cut. Cut one side, flip the 4x4 and finish the cut on the bottom side. Sand until cut is smooth. You'll probably add cork or felt pads under the legs later on to level table up and protect your floor.
Then notch out the stretcher joint as shown in diagram. Definitely practice first on a scrap if you can. This is easier to do than it looks - just be sure to get the top and bottom cut right, and it will all work out!
Step 2
Notch out the stretcher support board first, then attach to the 4x4s. Remember the screws will show here, so drill in pattern. Use 3" screws to attach.
Do both ends.
Step 3
Then add your top aprons with 1 1/2" pocket holes and 2 1/2" pocket hole screws.
NOT SHOWN: Drill 1 1/2" pocket holes on the insides of your aprons facing upward for later attaching the the tabletop too. Drill three holes per end apron.
Step 4
Now attach the two ends together to create your table frame.
NOT SHOWN: Drill 1 1/2" pocket holes on the insides of your aprons facing upward for later attaching the the tabletop too. Drill five holes per side apron.
Step 5
Step 6
Now start building your tabletop.
Step 7
Measure and cut your breadboard ends to fit and attach to tabletop.
Step 8
Then attach the base to the tabletop through predrilled 1 1/2" pocket holes with 2 1/2" pocket hole screws.
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.
Comments
birdsandsoap
Mon, 11/12/2012 - 10:49
I like this a lot!
this table turned out beautiful and the finish is great.
hawkingbrandy
Tue, 05/21/2019 - 23:15
Me too!
Me too!
Sarah @ ROR (not verified)
Mon, 11/12/2012 - 12:31
love this one!
So gorgeous and clean! I just started reading your site a month ago and keep coming back for more. I featured you on my blog today as a huge source of inspiration for me. (rain-on-roses.blogspot.com) Congrats on the book, I'm so happy for you!
MattVD (not verified)
Mon, 11/19/2012 - 11:09
Great update!!!
I decided to make a farmhouse table using your plans 2 weeks back, but decided to adjust the plans for pocket holes. After I had already started, you posted this update!! Happy to see that I pretty much made the adjustments you did and now my table looks great! Thanks for putting these plans out there!
In reply to Great update!!! by MattVD (not verified)
stevenleerson
Wed, 05/27/2015 - 17:27
You can construct your own
You can construct your own farmhouse table made of planks of solid reclaimed pine, this farmhouse table expands to seat up to 8 people. Bearing the knots and imperfections from its previous life, every piece is subtly distinct.
But you can modify this plan to your desired measurements & appearance:
- 60"w x 38"d x 31"h. (Comfortably seats up to 6; up to 8 when expanded to 80"w.)
- Expands to 80"w with drop-in leaf.
- Solid reclaimed pine in a weathered finish.
- A .5 cm gap in the apron between the extension and the table allows the solid wood to naturally expand and contract.
To match your newly-built farmhouse table with bench, here's another plan: http://ana-white.com/2011/01/plans/farmhouse-bench
Chris G (not verified)
Mon, 11/26/2012 - 08:13
Wood for the Table
Hi Ana! So I am in NJ, and I am having the hardest time finding any 2 x lumber other than Doug Fir Framing Wood. I read that most folks are using Dried Southern Pine, but they only have 1x of that here.
Can I glue the 1x's together face to face, or should I use the Framing Lumber? Any help would be really appreciated!
Thanks,
Chris
In reply to Wood for the Table by Chris G (not verified)
maryal
Thu, 02/16/2017 - 10:15
No, don't glue them together!
Just use 2X framing wood. I'm pretty sure that's what everyone else is using here.
Sandy Tull (not verified)
Wed, 11/28/2012 - 11:38
extentions
In a previous design there were extentions for the table to add I believe 15 more inches per end. I cannot find that plan, can you help?
Thanks,
Sandy
Sandy Tull (not verified)
Wed, 11/28/2012 - 11:38
extentions
In a previous design there were extentions for the table to add I believe 15 more inches per end. I cannot find that plan, can you help?
Thanks,
Sandy
Vince (not verified)
Fri, 11/30/2012 - 14:18
End Seats
Has anyone built this and run into a problem with seats at the end, not pushing in enough to actually eat at the table? I'm using this plan to build my own table to seat 10 in a couple of weeks and was curious if someone had any ideas on how to solve that problem? Thanks, love the plan!