Coming from a rental I didn't have a proper dining room table. The dining room seemed alone and naked without a table. Off to the brick & mortar stores and online for a proper table search.

Whoa! Stop! Get me a pacemaker!

OMFG! Over $800 for a solid oak table? Just the table? No chairs? After that sticker shock we looked at fake wood "veneer" tables and composite materials (plastics/metals/glass). The prices were better but it all looked so chintzy.

I drove home. I was defeated. Being on a tight budget sucks, especially when you want nice things.

So I looked at myself in the mirror and said, "Self, we can do this".

"Do what", I asked? 

"I am making us a table", I exclaimed.

My laughter didn't stop for over 10 miles.

The research began. I have limited joinery skills and no power planer or joiner. Luckily I saw a late night infomercial for a pocket jig that makes pocket holes for wood joinery. Now I realize everyone has probably heard of these jigs but me. My experience is with refinishing, not building.

I bought the  Kreg Jig kit, wood, and supplies. Oh yeah, many more supplies. Clamps and more clamps. I was so unprepared. I did take my time when shopping and got the best deals I could.

The table style is very reminiscent of the Shaker period with clean lines and stability.

This is the video "plan" that I used for my table construction: Kreg Edge Joining


BottomLine: The table was built for $200 in panel wood, legs, fasteners, stain, and finish.

Material List:

6 - 1"x6"x72" Red Oak S4 board
3 - 1"x4"x72" Red Oak S4 board
4 - 29"Hx2 1/4" Red Oak Hepplewhite legs
Red Mahogany stain
Satin polyurethane finish

Steps w/ images and flowing commentary:

Top panels drilled out.

Ready for attachment.

The panels are attached using #7 fine thread flat head screws.

I started with 2 top panels. Using 3 H-style bar clamps I added a panel when attachment was finished on the one before it. Yes, it was a little time consuming but the top panels line up perfectly.

No glue.

Pocket hole example.

Adding pocket holes to the apron.

Apron is attached to the legs.

End apron with legs attached.

Side aprons attached to legs and end aprons.

Scrap 3/16" oak was used to provided a slight apron relief off the legs.

Table screwed!

Showing off for the neighbors.

First coat bottom stain.

Red Mahogany.

First coat stain.

Too light.

This is the completed stain. Three coats of Red mahogany stain.

Due to the extreme humidity (over 95%) it took me almost three weeks to get the stain correct.

I'm not looking forward to applying the satin polyurethane.

Finished table top.

The three coats of stain give it a nice deep look.