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A farmhouse island on solid notched 4x4 legs with a 2x6 shelf and plank top — the notching technique for the stretcher joint is the one genuinely tricky step in an otherwise simple build.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs Notched for the bottom stretcher with a circular saw and chisel. | 4 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 34 1/2" | 4x4, 6 ft | ☐ |
| Bottom stretchers | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 32" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| End aprons | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 24" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Side aprons | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 61" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Under-table supports | 3 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 27" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Shelf boards | 3 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 69" | 2x6, 6 ft | ☐ |
| Tabletop boards | 6 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 70" | 2x6, 6 ft | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 4x4, 6 ft | 2 each | ☐ |
| 2x4, 8 ft | 4 each | ☐ |
| 2x6, 6 ft | 9 each | ☐ |
| Pocket hole screws, 2-1/2" | 60 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping screws, 2-1/2" | 20 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 5 oz | ☐ |
| Primer and paint, or stain and poly | 1 set | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Chisels, Circular Saw. Materials: 4x4, 6 ft
Set a circular saw's blade depth to 1-1/2". Make repeated cuts every 1/4" across the notch area on each 4x4 leg, then clear the waste with a chisel.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 4x4, 6 ft, 2x4, 8 ft, Pocket hole screws, 2-1/2", Self-tapping screws, 2-1/2", Wood glue
Attach the bottom stretcher into the notched area with 2-1/2" screws and wood glue. Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the top end apron board and attach to the legs, checking for square. Drill pocket holes facing upward on the inside of the aprons for attaching the tabletop later. Build two leg sets.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Pocket hole screws, 2-1/2", Wood glue
Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the side apron boards. Attach to the legs with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws and glue, checking for square.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Pocket hole screws, 2-1/2"
Attach the under-table supports to the side aprons with pocket holes, drilling upward-facing holes for the tabletop attachment.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x6, 6 ft, Pocket hole screws, 2-1/2"
Build the shelf from the 2x6 boards and attach to the bottom stretchers.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x6, 6 ft, Pocket hole screws, 2-1/2"
Build the tabletop as its own flat panel from the 2x6 boards, then attach to the aprons and supports.