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The frame goes together and dries flat before the top is ever involved — build both 2x2 box frames, let them cure on a flat, level surface, then fill and sand the screw holes. That gap between frame and top is also the easiest point to get a two-tone finish: stain or paint the frame at this stage and leave its top edges raw, since bare wood is what the glue needs to bond the tabletop down in the final step.
Measure the actual width of your two joined 1x8 tabletop boards before cutting the remaining 2x2 frame pieces — the cut list assumes a particular combined width, and real boards can run slightly narrow or wide. The frame length numbers below already account for that with a "3" less than tabletop width" rule; use your own measurement, not the number on paper, if they don't match.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Pine, 2x2, 8 ft | 3 each |
| Pine, 1x8, 5 ft | 1 each |
| 2-1/2" self-tapping trim screwsAbout 20 needed. | 1 box |
| 1-5/8" self-tapping trim screwsAbout 10 needed. | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 2 oz |
| 120 grit sandpaper | 1 pack |
| Wood filler | 1 each |
| Stain and paintFor a two-tone frame/top finish. | 1 each |
Overall cost: $. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Tabletop boardsPine 1x8 | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 28" |
| LegsPine 2x2 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 21 1/4" |
| Frame long railsPine 2x2 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 25" |
| Frame cross railsPine 2x23" less than the actual combined width of the tabletop boards. | 5 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 11 1/2" |
Buy 4 boards at 8 ft.
3 boards
1 board
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Cut the tabletop boards, lay them together, and measure the combined width. If it doesn't match the cut list, adjust the frame cross-rail lengths to 3" less than your actual measured width. If using a pocket hole jig, join the two 1x8 boards together first.
Build two identical end frames from the legs and long rails as shown, using 2-1/2" screws and glue.
Cut the remaining cross rails 3" shorter than the width of the tabletop and attach to assemble the full frame. Let it dry on a flat, level surface, fill the screw holes with wood filler, let dry, and sand well. This is a good stage to apply a contrasting finish to the frame while leaving its top edges raw.
Apply glue and set the tabletop on the frame. Attach with 1-1/4" brad nails or 1-5/8" trim screws. Fill any holes with wood filler, sand smooth once dry, and finish the tabletop.
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