For the last several months my husband and I had been lacking a dining room table. For awhile we used two hollow core doors placed over a craft table to make something suitable. Later we progressed to two smaller tables that could be moved independently of each other while we got used to our new space. Finally it was time for something real, something solid, and something in the 8 foot range.
When you're renovating a home, a dining room table is important, but having working showers and toilets is more so. The table was on the back burner until we came across some reclaimed barn wood — and like DIY ninjas we sprung into action before the sun had a chance to set.
Now, there's many ways to build a table. Is ours perfect? Absolutely not! Are there things we could have done differently? Sure! This is just a basic idea to get your creative juices flowing. Embellish away, finish away, or use whatever legs you want. Each table is bound to be different when you're using reclaimed materials and using what you already have in the tool box to save a few bucks.
What You Need
Materials
Reclaimed Wood (board feet dependent upon table size required)
Table Legs
Sand Paper
Steel Wool
Wood Screws
Tools
Drill/Screwdriver
Hammer
Pliers (optional)
Gloves (optional)
Saw Horses
Rip Saw (with wood blade)/Hand Saw
Instructions
1. Bring Home Salvaged Wood
We happened to have a reclaimed and salvaged wood shop go out of business a few blocks away. So like good soldiers we drove our sweet mini van over and put 3 - 12' boards on top and strapped them down. They were covered in nails, metal, screws, all sorts of things. Bringing gloves is always a bonus if you have tender paws! If you don't have access to a large vehicle for transport, check Craigslist for folks with trucks looking to make $10-$20 with their truck for an afternoon.
2. It's Nail Pullin' Time
Most salvaged and reclaimed wood will be laden with hardware used to hold it together in its previous life. Our 3 pieces had several hundred nails, screws and staples that needed to be pulled. Just commit to being sweaty and get started pulling! Be careful to pull with the grain of the wood so you don't damage it if it's been outside and exposed to weather that will soften it.
3. Cut To Length
For our space we were looking for an 8' table which will seat 8 comfortably with the style of legs we purchased and 10 when we want to squeeze folks in. The discarded pieces were perfect for braces under the table as they were already split. Score!
4. Line 'em Up
We were lucky in the sense that our found wood was already straight. Many pieces might require a bit more effort (like being run through a joiner and then table saw) to get them to square up. Ours were good to go and a little muscle helped keep them perfect during the next step.
5. Ah Screw It!
We used screws we happened to already have in our tool box, so although I'd love to tell you the exact ones we used so you can run out to the hardware store, I'm just not that much of a carpentry genius. Instead we walked out, held them against the edge and said, "Yup, that'll do." We used 9 (3 for each support) screws, though that number could easily be doubled for better security.
6. She's Got Legs & She Knows How To Use Them
Although we could have made legs ourselves, we didn't want things to look too picnic table-ish, so instead we had already ordered legs from IKEA in anticipation of finding wood for a project like this. They are VIKA LERBERG legs and run $10 each. With shipping to Missouri, it was an additional $10 total for both legs. Although that sucks in theory, finding hip table legs close to home was simply out of the question. $30 for legs, even if those who live close to an IKEA get them for less, is still just fine by me. The table can simply rest on top of these legs or you can use additional hardware to secure them to the top.
7. Sand, Buff, Seal
Now is the time to bust out the sand paper, steel wool or orbital sander (though that will remove most of your rustic patina). We used a low number sand paper followed by steel wool to knock down and smooth all burs that might catch our diners' elbows. From here you can choose to wax, seal or leave it natural depending on the look desired. For now we're going natural, but there's probably a coat of Deft in our future!
8. What's For Dinner?
We now have an 8' table … who wants to come over for dinner? I can't promise air conditioning, but I can give you a seat at our table.
(Images: Sarah Rae Trover, Too-Hectic)
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
The boards, although in the photo look a little wonky, actually aren't in person. Promise!
Like I said above, you're welcome to make additions as you see fit and that's a good one for others to take note of.
I made a reclaimed table for my outdoor area, and I'd second the bracing call. I used several pieces of heavy duty metal stripping that I found near the hardware aisle on the underside of mine, along with maybe 100 screws, and am still worried about warping! The wood I used might be heavier though- the entire top alone weighs in around 80-100lbs. (Also, if you do outdoors, you'll definitely need some polycoat unless you plan on oiling weekly.)
Old scaffolding board would be a good choice and would be free of nails.
@ medusa12120: what do you mean when you say "they really should have put bracer boards on the bottom, every 16" or so"? How is that different than the what they did by adding "cross braces underneath and attach with appropriate length wood screws."?
This is a GREAT post! There is a similar table at Timothy Oulton that I LOVE but this is much more affordable and has such great character!
This is an awesome project. If you do not have access to reclaimed check us out at
www.the woods company.com We can hook you up with some very pretty wood.
I appreciate this how to, and this blog is full of good ideas. This particular project however is lacking just a certain.... something in the finished project that us, the spoiled readers, have become accustomed to on AT. Perhaps it's the use of reclaimed, but common "2 by" boards. Part of the charm of repurposing wood and other things is a different use than they were meant for originally. Perhaps if the underneath braces were beveled so as not to be as visible, (and more of them) or if the table top was joined into a continuous surface via the use of Kreg Jig Holes/Screws it wouldn't have that wonky, haphazard pieced together look at the end. When I reuse wood (especially stuff like this with LOTS of character and wear) I usually let the shape/style/color of the wood decide the project and not the other way around... something to keep in mind, and definitely tough to do when you're needing a finished product and can't wait for that to happen. I second the poly sentiments for indoors or out - I love the original dark and used color, if that had been covered with a few layers of thick poly or clear epoxy it would have become a beautiful smooth tabletop that was (mostly) splinter free, and usable.
My husband recently built a 10' long table with reclaimed wood and galvanized pipe for our backyard. It turned out awesome! We debated about braces but I didnt think it was necessary. We havent sealed it yet, Should we? It's reclaimed redwood.
creativebleed - If it's outdoors, you're probably just fine. I wouldn't eat directly off it, but chances are you hadn't planned on doing so anyway!
bdsimmons2 - Thank you for your observations about our table. Yes the wood might be common, but that doesn't make it any less reclaimed or salvaged. I doubt it came from a 100 year old barn, but it's a solid 50 years old judging by the wear and hardware we pulled of it.
Yes, beveling the braces underneath would have been nice, but I wasn't going to let that hold me back from actually making my table and sure we could have recessed the hardware, but when it comes right down to it, those steps weren't really needed.
wildwildrice - Scaffolding board IS a great option and I had looked at it many times on Craigslist from contractors.
I know this is an old post, but Sarah Rae, what hardware did you use to attach the vika lerberg legs to the table top? I'm doing a similar project and don't feel comfortable with the top simply resting on the legs and not being secured. Thanks for posting this great tutorial!