This project was built by Johnny Brooke from Crafted Workshop. If you’re looking for creative ways to use up scrap wood, this build turns leftover pieces into a stunning end table. Be sure to check out Johnny’s YouTube channel for more woodworking ideas and detailed project walkthroughs.
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Turning Scrap Wood into a Functional End Table
Scrap wood tends to pile up in any woodworking shop, but finding ways to repurpose it can be a challenge. This project transforms those offcuts into a thick end grain tabletop, similar to a butcher block but designed for furniture. The mix of wood species creates a unique visual effect, making each table one of a kind.
Johnny designed this table using a variety of hardwoods, including walnut, oak, maple, and cherry. The contrast between different grain patterns and colors adds to the final look. Since scrap wood comes in different sizes, this project embraces variation rather than sticking to uniform boards.
Preparing the Wood for the Build
To start, Johnny sorts through his scrap pile and cuts the pieces to rough lengths. The table legs are sized for a comfortable height, while the strips that make up the tabletop vary to create an interesting layered design. Instead of precise, matching lengths, this project works best when the pieces are arranged organically.
Once the wood is cut, Johnny flattens each strip using a planer. Ensuring two sides are smooth helps create tight glue joints, which is crucial when stacking layers. With the boards milled, he arranges them in a pattern, mixing wood species for contrast while keeping the overall structure stable.
Creating the End Grain Tabletop
This build follows a layered approach, where individual strips are glued together in sections before being combined into the final tabletop. By working in stages, Johnny keeps the process manageable and ensures each layer is properly aligned.
After applying glue, he clamps the pieces tightly and lets them dry. To avoid excessive cleanup, glue is kept away from the very bottom edges where squeeze-out would be difficult to remove. Once dry, the glued-up layers are flattened again using a planer to ensure consistency.
With the sections ready, Johnny trims them to a uniform width. A jointer is used to square up one edge, and a table saw rips the pieces to their final size. Crosscutting each layer refines the edges, preparing them for final assembly.
Assembling and Finishing the Table
To align the layers, Johnny uses dominoes or biscuits, which help reduce movement during glue-up. Since end grain can be difficult to clean up after assembly, getting a tight fit from the start is essential. He applies glue carefully, focusing on the top edges where gaps would be most visible in the finished table.
After clamping everything together and allowing the glue to dry, he removes any excess glue and starts flattening the tabletop. A low-angle jack plane helps refine the surface, while a card scraper removes tool marks for a smooth finish. Since end grain is more challenging to sand, extra care is needed to achieve a clean result.
Once the tabletop is level, Johnny cuts the legs to their final length. Any small misalignment during glue-up is accounted for in this step, ensuring the table sits evenly. Chamfering the edges helps prevent splintering and gives the table a refined look.
Sanding and Applying the Finish
Sanding is always an important step, but with end grain, it requires extra effort. Johnny works through multiple grits, starting coarse and gradually moving to finer sandpaper. The goal is to achieve a smooth, even surface while maintaining the natural character of the wood.
For finishing, he applies a spray finish to the bottom and a wipe-on polyurethane to the top and sides. This approach balances protection with ease of application, giving the table a durable, polished look. Between coats, he lightly sands to remove any imperfections and ensure a flawless finish.
The Final Touches
Once the finish has fully cured, Johnny adds felt pads to the bottom of the legs. This helps protect floors and makes it easier to move the table without scratching the surface. The result is a stunning end grain table that repurposes scrap wood into a functional, eye-catching piece of furniture.
This build highlights the value of reusing materials and showcases how even small offcuts can be transformed into something beautiful. The variation in wood tones makes each table unique, turning scrap wood into a design feature rather than a limitation.
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