Monday 12 October 2015

Reclaimed Wood: Harvest Table

Our dining room table is weird; the proportions are off.
The base is pretty substantial, and then the top only overhangs by an inch or two.
It served its purpose well, but the last couple of family visits have shown that we need something bigger. The current dimensions are 35" x 45" (889x1143).


I bought some barn wood in the spring, and decided to make a new top for the existing table base. 
That being said, the table is a big box store table, so they glued to crap out of it. 
The plan then is to put the new top directly over the existing top.


As you can see, the wood is really industrial, and well used. I clamped it together to ensure a snug fit.
Then I used a strip of wood (also clamped), and countersunk some wood screws into it.
The strips were placed so that the measurement between them would accommodate the existing top.


Sanding was scary; I was so afraid I would accidentally sand away the milling marks, dents and character, but really needed to ensure that we weren't going to get slivers every time we sat at it, or every time I licked it 'cause I spilled something... Wait... What? I don't do that.


After sanding, I applied tung oil. It immediately brought the wood to life.


Tung oil has a tendancy to raise the grain of the wood, so after a few days, I re-sanded and re-applied.


AFTER!
The new top fits snugly over the top. And the 6 chairs that came with the original table now don't look ridiculous all squeezed around that tiny table.


This seems to fit better with our dining room's overall aesthetic.


The table dimensions are now a much more reasonable 43"x 72" (1092x1829).



I love the final worn look.

5 comments:

  1. I feel like I'm forever saying it, but this is amazing Pat!!! Again, a perfect solution to a common problem that so many people have. And a budget and eco-friendly alternative to going out and buying a brand new table or entire dining set. The strips underneath to stop it from going all over the place - genius.

    Do you think you'll need to add another small strip to stop the new top from shifting the other way? Meaning, horizontal side to side? To kind of pin it in place. Am I making sense? Like an L bracket of sorts. Although the table top looks heavy enough to not go anywhere fast soon.

    And the stain you chose goes so well with your existing dining set. Beautifully rustic and brings out the dark notched details.

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    Replies
    1. You read my mind.
      I am still working out if I want to stabilize it by that very method (additional horizontal strips).... The other option is drilling straight through the existing table top into the new. I haven't decided yet whether I will ever try to sell the table under it. Is it worth wrecking a perfectly good wood top? Right now i am leaning towards strips.

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    2. Oh, and no stain whatsoever, just tung oil. I am forever amazed how well it brings out the natural warm tones.

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    3. Oooooh I'd go with stabalizing it with horizontal strips. As you say, you'd kinda wreck the table top by drilling it in place and from my experience, the moment you decide to permanently change something, the moment will arise where you need that original un-drilled thing. You never know. But then again, I have soggy luck.

      *Oil. I meant to write oil and not stain. Stupid words getting lost in translation on their way to my hands.

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  2. I don't like it....I love it,love it,love it. Woho - so good it hurts.

    Can't wait to see it...and that great sign in the shot.

    Japes

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