Trestle Table

For my wife's birthday she wanted a new dinning room table. First I made a model and wrapped it in a box! I got my hands on some Heart Pine ( same as our floors) and measured what would fit our room best.

Step 1: Sorting and Creating the Best Top Layout. Bread Board Ends

Once I planed and jointed the board edges the top was glued and clamped. The edge was then run through the dado blade to create the bread board edge. To create the bread board edge the inside of the end board was dado-ed out to fit the top edge. The center of the board has a solid non moving pin. The pins on the sides are slotted for expansion and contraction.

Step 2: Legs

The legs are two separate pieces mortise and tenon together with 1/2" dowels. I created the design and cut out on the band saw. The apron is installed and pocket crewed only to the side. The end boards are left free to expand and contract. The leg support boards are installed with lag bolts. Pockets are drilled and slotted again for expansion and contraction. If you notice I say that a lot because if you do not do this your top WILL split! It needs to be able to move through the seasons. The legs are attached to the table boards with bolts.

Step 3: Stain and Poly

I used a mixture of Minwax Provincial and Dark Walnut stain. Followed by 4 coats of oil based Minwax semi gloss.

Step 4: Finished Product!

When all was said and done it took me a week and a 1/2 of spare time to build. Then the room had to be painted and new chairs bought! In the end it came out great and has room for 2 more chairs! Can seat 10 if needed. The actual size is 90"x 44"