This project was built and designed by Mike Montgomery from Modern Builds. It features a sleek dining table and matching benches, combining two-by-fours and steel into a contemporary, space-saving design.
With woodworking and metalworking techniques blended throughout, this build is a great introduction for anyone looking to push beyond basic furniture. The benches slide neatly under the tabletop for a clean, compact footprint.
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Cutting and Prepping the Lumber
The project starts with standard two-by-fours, cut to length using a miter saw and stop block. Consistent lengths across all components are key for proper alignment and an even tabletop.
To give the wood a sharper look, Mike removes the rounded corners. He uses an electric hand planer for quick passes, though a table saw could be used to rip square edges as well. The result is a cleaner, more modern finish for both the table and benches.
Building the Tops
With all pieces cut and shaped, Mike begins gluing them into panels for the tabletop and the two bench tops. He works in sections to keep things manageable, using plenty of clamps and flat reference surfaces.
Drying the glue-ups on a level surface helps prevent warping. Mike also uses cauls to maintain pressure across the boards. Once dried, the panels are sanded down with a belt sander or planer to create a smooth, uniform surface.
Adding Steel Legs with Dado Joinery
The table’s modern look comes from its clean steel legs. To join them flush with the underside of the tabletop, Mike cuts shallow dados using a palm router. This provides a recess for the steel to sit inside, keeping everything aligned.
The steel is hot-rolled flat stock, cut to length with an angle grinder and a cutoff wheel. Corners are beveled before welding to allow for cleaner beads and better joint strength.
Welding the Frame
Welding the leg frames is a straightforward process using a flux core MIG welder. Mike tack-welds each joint before going in with full passes, allowing for slight adjustments to keep everything square.
Some of the interior welds require grinding afterward to fit properly into the routed dado slots. This extra step ensures the legs sit flush and mount securely to the tabletop.
Assembly and Adjustment
Once the frames are complete, Mike attaches the steel legs to the underside of the tabletop using stainless steel screws. He countersinks the holes for a cleaner finish and to avoid catching on anything underneath.
After initial assembly, the table shows a slight wobble due to flex in the flat steel. To solve this, Mike adds a support bar across the lower section of the frame. It’s a subtle change but adds significant stability.
Building the Matching Benches
The benches are built using the same materials and techniques as the table. Each bench is designed to slide neatly under the table when not in use, saving space and maintaining a clean aesthetic.
Mike cuts, glues, and finishes the bench tops just like the tabletop. The bench legs are also made from steel flat stock and welded in a similar design, maintaining visual consistency across all pieces.
Sanding and Finish
With assembly complete, everything is sanded starting with a coarse grit and moving to finer grits for a polished feel. Mike applies multiple coats of polycrylic to protect the wood while enhancing its natural color.
This finish offers durability and is ideal for a dining surface that will see regular use. The combination of smooth wood and matte steel gives the final piece a professional, high-end appearance.
A Complete and Functional Set
What makes this build stand out is how the benches fit directly beneath the table. It’s a space-saving feature that’s perfect for smaller homes, apartments, or anyone who wants a clean, modern layout.
The steel adds strength and contrast to the warm wood, and the overall construction is sturdy enough for everyday meals, homework, or even board game nights. It’s functional, durable, and visually appealing.
Please support Mike by visiting his website: https://www.modernbuilds.com/.