Looking for a unique and stylish furniture piece for your home? In this project, Taylor from DesignedByTaylor walks you through the steps to create an amazing DIY live edge table using rustic barn wood.
Materials and Tools Needed
- Barn wood
- Wood glue
- Craig pocket hole jig
- DAP premium wood filler
- Sandpaper (60, 80, 150, 220, 320, 400 grit)
- Minwax pre-stained conditioner
- Varathane dark walnut wood stain
- Varathane matte finish
- 4×4 lumber for legs
- Adjustable table legs
- Circular saw
- Drill
- Clamps
Step 1: Sourcing the Wood
The first step is to find some good wood for your project. Taylor sourced barn wood from a local supplier. After cleaning up the boards, he proceeded to edge joint them to create parallel edges for gluing.
Step 2: Edge Jointing the Boards
Using an edge jointing jig, which he previously demonstrated, Taylor clamps each board to the jig and runs it through the table saw to create a perfectly straight edge. After that, he removes the jig and runs the boards back through to create parallel edges.
Step 3: Securing the Boards Together
Once the boards are edge jointed, Taylor uses a Craig pocket hole jig to drill holes in all the boards. This allows for a strong bond when gluing and screwing them together.
Step 4: Filling Cracks and Holes
After gluing and screwing everything together, Taylor uses DAP premium wood filler to fill any cracks and holes, ensuring the top is as even as possible for a smooth dining table surface.
Step 5: Sanding the Surface
After letting everything dry for 24 hours, Taylor sands the surface with 60 grit sandpaper and applies another layer of wood filler if needed.
Step 6: Trimming the Table to Size
Using a circular saw and a factory straightened edge of plywood as a guide, Taylor trims the table down to size, ensuring a straight edge once again.
Step 7: Sanding to a Smooth Finish
After trimming, he sands the top further with 80, 150, and then 220 grit sandpaper, vacuuming up any remaining dust between each step.
Step 8: Applying Pre-Stain Conditioner and Stain
Taylor applies Minwax pre-stained conditioner to the surface, letting it soak in for 10 minutes before wiping off the excess. He then applies Varathane dark walnut wood stain, allowing it to sit for 10 minutes before wiping off any excess and letting it dry for 24 hours.
Step 9: Finishing the Table
After the stain dries, Taylor applies one coat of Varathane matte finish, allowing it to dry for 24 hours before hand sanding with 320 grit sandpaper. He repeats this process for a second and third coat, sanding with 400 grit before the final coat.
Step 10: Building the Legs
Next, Taylor focuses on the legs. He uses 4×4 lumber and makes cuts at a five-degree angle. He includes a link to the project plans for specific dimensions.
Step 11: Doweling the Legs Together
After cutting the leg pieces, Taylor drills holes for dowels in each piece. He uses finishing nails taped to one side to create indentations for precise drilling on the opposite side.
Step 12: Assembling the Legs
After installing dowels, he glues and clamps the leg pieces together, ensuring a solid structure.
Step 13: Final Touches on the Legs
Once the glue dries, he adds pocket holes underneath each leg for added strength and installs adjustable table legs at the bottom for leveling adjustments.
Step 14: Painting the Legs
Taylor marks down 2.5 inches from the top of each leg, drills eight pocket holes, and applies a coat of bare white satin enamel paint to the legs, sanding between coats for a smooth finish.
Step 15: Final Assembly
After the final coat dries, Taylor assembles the table, excited to show it off at future gatherings.
This DIY live edge table is not only functional but also a beautiful centerpiece for any gathering.