Reclaimed longleaf pine dining table

My wife and I just bought a new house and for the first time ever we have a formal dining room. So we went and starting looking for the perfect dining room table. We looked at furniture stores in the Dallas area. All we found was cheap tables with a thin hardwood veneer. After a few months of looking on Craigslist and all over the internet, I did find a style of table I like. I love the look of a farm table, the only problem is they are several thousand dollars or made from cheap yellow pine. So I finally decided to take a plunge and build one myself.

Step 1: The Wood

I didn’t know what type of wood I wanted to use to build my table. I knew I wanted some character and I wanted the table to have a story behind it. I was looking on craigslistone day and came across a listing for some reclaimed longleaf pine.  I called the number and asked about the wood. Turns out it was the floor boards from a train depot in Bowie Texas that was torn down. The building was built in the early 1870's. Long leaf pine is the hardest of all the pine species. This wood has a character you can’t find in lumber from a store. It was tight grained and was colored by over 100 years of use. I knew this wood needed to be used again and its story told. Even with its age and abuse it was still good and very usable.

Comments

[djokimaki]

B E A Utiful table Ivan, Love the sheen I see in it! Regards, D

[chuckyd]

The work paid off. A personal opinion here is that with those large legs a heavier (wider) apron may be more to scale with the overall table.

[scoochmaroo]

Gorgeous!

[ivan_stephens]

Wow!!! Thank you for all the positive comments.

[cfs0527]

Awesome table! Take pride in it. I used to work in an antique shop in MA ans me and my partner would build these things out of old barn siding. Done right, they are popular and can fetch a good price. I hope the woodworking bug has bit you good. Try hand cut dovetail drawers next time.

[joshfromga]

That's a beautiful table. my parents had one similar in appearance, though it was bought. unfortunately, they had very destructive kids. the table didn't last past my teen years.

[Philip527]

cool table , I have an antique pine table that has turned legs one which cracked in two, didn't know how to get it replaced , I tried repairing it but that just lasted a few months, eBay , thanks ; looks like your table will last a long time , great job . = ph

[thebeatonpath]

I'm speechless. Just incredible!

[richardsan]

"Norm" would be proud! he might suggest to use 'dutchmen' to cover larger holes, it adds a bit of hand made character to pieces like this.
nice job!

[ironman0104]

It is wonderful You have truly found a great use of older wood and it will last for many, many years.

[ddw_az]

NEXT, re-claimed lumber chairs???

[MsJaxFla]

Oh it is so beautiful. I know you are so very proud that you did all the work for a quality table that is not only beautiful, but durable and will last your children's lifetime beyond just your own.

Congratulations on a job done well.

I am ever so jealous, It is exactly what I have been wanting for my tiny dining room. A rectangular table like that takes up less space next to a wall and you can put a banquette type seat under it, that is if you make it yourself and voila more walking room till you need it. I have plans myself, just not the expertise to do what I want or the money YET.

[triumphman]

IKEA

[Klappstuhl]

HAHA

No :3

[rimar2000]

Beautiful table! Congratulations.

When I saw photo 2 of step 5 I thought "this dude is crazy, this table deserves wood legs!" Then I sigh of relief, when saw the wood legs.

[Mrballeng]

This is great! Longleaf pine is rare. You sure have a one of a kind table.

[mikeasaurus]

The patina on that table is something you just can't buy, fantastic!