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How to make a D.I.Y. wooden dining table

A completed wooden dining table, with two matching bench seats, in a wooden themed dining room setting

Overview

Using reclaimed timber to make a dining table ensures you have a unique piece of furniture and a conversation starter at home. This six-seat dining table has a rustic charm and style that you'll love. With some reclaimed timber, a few simple tools and some materials, you'll be surprised how easy it is to make.

Steps

1

Pre-cut your timber to size

To make this project easier, you can get your table legs pre-cut to size at your local Bunnings. 

Cut the 90mm x 45mm hardwood pine to the following lengths:
• 800mm x 2
• 710mm x 2 
• 655mm x 4
DIY Step Image - How to make a D.I.Y. wooden dining table. Blob storage upload.

2

Cut the reclaimed timber to square

When using reclaimed timber, you may need to remove any screws, nails and other fixings and hardware first. Then use a table saw to clean up the edges so they're straight.
DIY Step Image - How to make a D.I.Y. wooden dining table. Blob storage upload.

3

Glue and clamp the timber

Lay the timber on sash clamps, which will give you the width of your table. Apply wood glue along the edges of the timber and tighten the clamps to bind them. You need to leave the glue to dry and cure thoroughly.  Once the glue is dry, remove the clamps and chisel off any excess glue.
Lengths of timber for a tabletop clamped into place for gluing

4

Cut the table ends square

Measure and mark the tabletop to the length you want. Then square the ends using the circular saw. For an even cut, use a straight edge clamp to help with this.
Lengths of timber for a tabletop being cut to uniform size with a circular saw and straight edge clamp

5

Sand the tabletop

Smooth out the tabletop with a belt sander, starting with 36 grit sandpaper on the surface and edges of the table.
A wooden tabletop being sanded with a belt sander

6

Wax the table

For a great finish, use a rag to apply wax to the tabletop. This will protect the surface and enhance the colour of the timber. The timber will soak up the wax, so put on as many coats as necessary for your desired finish.
An assembled tabletop being waxed with a rag by a Bunnings team member

7

Sand the legs

If you had the timber for your legs pre-cut to size, all you need to do is use the belt sander and 120 grit sandpaper to remove any rough edges and markings on the timber.

A belt sander being used to sand down a length of timber

8

Make the legs

Layout the timber in a rectangular shape, so there's an 800mm piece at the top, butt join a 655mm length of timber on each side, and then a 710mm length of timber at the bottom. Clamp the timber together. Drill a 5mm pilot hole and countersink. Then glue and screw into place with the 100mm bugle screws. Screw from the top of the 800mm into the 655mm lengths. Screw from the side of the 655mm lengths into the 710mm. Leave the glue to dry.
A wooden frame to be used as dining table legs being assembled with a power drill, screws and a clamp

9

Sand the legs

To give the legs a great finish, again use the belt sander with 80 grit to remove any pencil marks you've made. Then use the orbital sander to remove the sharp edges on the legs for safety.
A wooden frame to be used as dining table legs being sanded with a belt sander

10

Stain the legs

Once the legs are assembled, give them a stain to enhance the natural grain of the timber. Use a rag to apply the stain but make sure you don't apply it too thickly. When using stain always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Work in a well-ventilated area and wear a respirator mask.
A wooden frame to be used as dining table legs being stained black

11

Mark the position of the legs

Measure and mark for the 100mm cup head bolts that will go in the tabletop. Make sure they are positioned so that the bolts aren't near the tabletop joins or the screws near the ends.
A square rule and pencil being used to mark a position for legs

12

Pre-drill for the legs

On the underside of the tabletop, pre-drill a 5mm pilot hole through the legs and into the table where your legs will go. Then finish pre-drilling the holes through the table. Flip the table over and use the 22mm spade bit to make an 8mm deep countersink hole for the cup head bolts. Lastly drill a larger 10mm clearance hole through the table and the legs to accommodate the bolts you'll be using.
Holes being drilled into the legs and base of a wooden table for later screwing into place

13

Insert the bolts

Flip the table, so that the top is facing onto your workbench. Sit the tabletop on some timber offcuts and slide the bolts through from the top.
Bolts being positioned underneath an upturned tabletop for attaching legs

14

Secure the legs

Slide the legs onto the bolts and secure with nuts. Tighten these with a ratchet and socket.
Legs being secured to the base of a wooden dining table with nuts and bolts and a ratchet

15

Job done

Your recycled dining table is finished and it looks great. Put it in position in your dining room and you'll enjoy it for years to come.
An assembled wooden dining table with black stained legs

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.