Gifts & Small Projects

Building a Modern & Custom Dining Table

This sleek, unique dining table is the perfect fit for any style of home.

Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 4.3–8.3 hours
Cost: $$$

About this build

This sleek, unique dining table is the perfect fit for any style of home. It can be fully customizable to seat as many people as you'd like and is the perfect piece to have nice meals with your family. This design is set to seat 6 people and will become a staple in your home.

Tools

Essential

Drill / Driver
Miter Saw
Random Orbit Sander
Router

Optional / nice to have

Bar / Pipe Clamps
Safety Glasses
Sandpaper (assorted grits)
Tape Measure

Materials

Item	Qty
Hardwood Lumber, 1 1/2" X 6" 96"	15 board
Threaded Inserts	6 each
Screws	6 each
Wood Glue	1 each
Flush Trim Bit	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.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L
Table Top	10	1" × 6" × 72"
Table Support	4	1" × 6" × 40"
Table Legs	8	1" × 6" × 30"

What to buy

Buy 15 boards at 8 ft.

1" × 6"

15 boards

72"
72"
72"
72"
72"
72"
72"
72"
72"
72"
40"40"
40"40"
30"30"30"
30"30"30"
30"30"

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 →

Start building →

Instructions

1Know Before You Go
Before beginning the assembly, all pieces need to be fully surfaced (S4S) to 1 1⁄2” to ensure an even finish. For a demonstration of this step, please reference the video listed in the Extras tab. You can also purchase S4S lumber and skip this step.
2Assembly (Part 1)
Cut all the tabletop, table support, and leg pieces to measure 4” wide using a table saw or track saw.
3Assembly (Part 2)
To assemble the tabletop, add wood glue along the edge of each piece and clamp together using parallel and pipe clamps. Allow the wood to dry for at least 24 hours before moving to the next step.
4Assembly (Part 3)
- Add wood glue along the edge of each leg piece and the cross pieces and clamp together using parallel and pipe clamps. Allow the wood to dry for at least 24 hours before moving to the next step.
- Repeat step for each leg panel and support panel.
5Assembly (Part 4)
Using a router and template, create a box joint to connect the legs with the table support, as shown here. For a demonstration of this step, please reference the video listed in the Extras tab.
6Assembly (Part 5)
Add wood glue along the inside of the joinery and allow the wood to dry for at least 24 hours before moving to the next step. Repeat steps 4 & 5 for each leg and table support piece.
7Assembly (Part 6)
There should be a total of 2 leg piece panels like this.
8Assembly (Part 7)
Set your track saw to a 22- degree bevel and run it along the edge of your tabletop to create this profile. This step is fully optional, depending your desired final look.
9Assembly (Part 8)
Flip the tabletop over and place leg on each side, flush with the table, with the support section facing towards the tabletop, as shown here.
10Assembly (Part 9)
Using a 3/8” drill bit, open three pilot holes to attach the legs to the tabletop. Repeat step for both sides. Make sure to drill through the table support until you reach the tabletop, but do not drill through the tabletop. (Tip: You can place tape on your drill bit to achieve the same depth)
11Assembly (Part 10)
Remove the table legs and install threaded inserts on tabletop using CA glue, as shown in the video in the Extras tab. Repeat step for both sides.
12Assembly (Part 11)
- Place legs on the tabletop.
- Align the 3/8” holes and secure leg pieces using bolts from the supply list.
- Finish table with preferred wood finish.