Turn a broken gate into a rustic outdoor table

Step 3 Finishing the table top

While the frame is not overly heavy I found it most convenient to do the final assembly in-situ.

The palings were first nailed to the frame. I started pre-drilling the palings but after I grew confident that they were not going to split I omitted that step.

The table top was then cut to width leaving about a 1" overhang all around the frame. I made the cuts with a hand saw as I suspect a circular saw would be too harsh.

Comments

[JodyT2]

 I was checking out Instructables looking for ideas to create a rustic kitchen worktable. Thanks for your post. I liked your approach with the hinges on the edges and using the rough 4x4 posts. You may have completed my search for a design :-) The variations of color on the table top are really pretty.

[Layout]

The colour variations are the result of our watering system. Where the water reached the fence the palings were bleached white. By mixing up the palings from various parts of the fence and playing with the orientations I was able to get this very pleasing effect.