Lesson 1 | Introduction
Lesson 2 | Milling Logs
Lesson 3 | Sizing
Lesson 4 | Top Material
Lesson 5 | Base Material
Lesson 6 | Glueup Strategies
Lesson 7 | Construction Lumber
Lesson 8 | The Table Top
Lesson 9 | Breadboard Ends
Lesson 10 | Base Side Assemblies
Lesson 11 | Connecting Assembly
Lesson 12 | Assembly & Finishing
Lesson 13 | Benches
Lesson 14 | Wrap-Up & Lessons Learned

Farmhouse Table & Benches

Matthew Cremona

We'll go from a log to a massive table and bench set large enough to seat the whole family and built to last many lifetimes.  Don't have a log or large pieces of hardwood? No problem - we'll look at glue up and construction lumber strategies too. The table and benches can easily be scaled to fit any space.

The table is 10' long and 36" wide. The benches are close to 8' long and will each seat four people.  If you add chairs to the ends of the table that would bring the seating to ten.

  • 14 lessons
  • 151 min
  • $79.00
  • Add to wishlist

Here's what you'll learn how to build:

Here's what we'll cover:

  1. Introduction

    A tour of the Farmhouse Table & Benches.

  2. Milling Logs

    A unique look at how Matt goes from logs to lumber.

  3. Sizing

    How big should the table be? Here are some guidelines.

  4. Top Material

    Selecting and breaking down the material for the table and bench tops.

  5. Base Material

    Selecting and breaking down the material for the base.

  6. Glueup Strategies

    How to effectively glue up smaller boards into thicker stock.

  7. Construction Lumber

    If you want to use construction lumber instead of hardwoods, check this out!

  8. The Table Top

    The top is constructed from two massive slabs. But first, they need to be flattened!

  9. Breadboard Ends

    Breadboard ends can stabilize a large top if installed properly!

  10. Base Side Assemblies

    Big angled mortise and tenon joints hold the side assemblies together!

  11. Connecting Assembly

    We tackle two challenging joints to give the table extra structural stability.

  12. Assembly & Finishing

    Assembling with drawbored joinery and finishing with epoxy and marine varnish.

  13. Benches

    The benches are like mini tables in and of themselves.

  14. Wrap-Up & Lessons Learned

    Attaching the top to the base and a review of lessons learned.

What will I receive?

  • Detailed cut list and plans including a PDF and a SketchUp file (Metric and Imperial).
  • Hours of detailed video instruction (14 videos in total) showing every step of the build.
  • All videos and plans are digital and will be available for download upon purchase. 

What will I learn?

  • Table sizing and scaling
  • Chainsaw milling and lumber drying
  • Selecting parts
  • Flattening and joining large boards
  • Breadboard end joinery
  • Angled mortise and tenons
  • Drawbored mortise and tenons
  • Handcut tenons
  • Working with construction grade lumber
  • Gluing up thicker stock
  • Outdoor finishing

What will I need?

Wood

These are approximate numbers. You’ll want to buy more for waste and grain selection.

Table

  • 77 Board Feet of 8/4 Hardwood
  • 54 Board Feet of 16/4 Hardwood
  • 3/8″ Dowel (76″ Long)

Single Bench

  • 19 Board Feet of 8/4 Hardwood
  • 26 Board Feet of 16/4 Hardwood
  • 3/8″ Dowel (42″ Long)

Tools:

  • Jointer, Planer, Table Saw, Band Saw, Router with edge guide, Drill, Hollow Chisel Mortiser, Sander
  • 1/2″ Spiral Straight Bit
  • 7/8″ Forstner bit
  • 3/8″ and 1/2″ Drill Bit (brad point preferred)
  • 7/32″ round file
  • Chisels: 1/4″, 1/2″, and 3/4″ or wider
  • Flush trim saw
  • Marking knife
  • Marking Gauge
  • Square
  • Mallet

Nice to Have Stuff:

  • Dowel plate for making the pins (alternatively store bought dowel stock can be used)
  • Shoulder plane
  • Drill Press

Reviews:

I built a table based on Matt’s instruction for the farmhouse table. His instruction is very concise without being overly repetitive and boring, which is a common pitfall with instructional videos of all kinds. He is great at showing a variety of techniques for accomplishing tasks in the project. Additionally, he does a great job of tackling the angled mortise and tenon joinery. I was very intimidated by it at first, however Matt breaks it down in a way that makes it seem very simple! I would highly recommend this build series for anyone who is interested!

Antoine
Guild Member
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About Your Instructor:

Matthew Cremona
http://www.mattcremona.com

Matt is a classic log to furniture woodworker. In 2017 he made his own bandsaw mill and uses it to create massive slabs for himself and other woodworkers to turn into beautiful furniture. He started his YouTube channel in 2014 and has a large and dedicated following. His woodworking style ranges from modern to classic reproductions.

Matt has been a Guild instructor since 2016 and a co-host of the Wood Talk podcast since 2016. He travels to teach periodically at local Guild meetings as well as woodworking events like Woodworking in America.

You can build this project, just like these guild members!

Shawn
Guild Member
Bob Stuntz
Guild Member
barrydw
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Check out the full member build gallery