How to Assemble Hardwood Furniture

Hardwood is one of the most classic, beautiful and durable materials for making furniture. Varieties of hardwood include oak, birch, hickory, rosewood, walnut and mahogany. These woods have become more rare in nature, and therefore are more rarely used in making furniture. In place of these hardwoods you will find softwoods such as pine, poplar and fir. Assembling hardwood furniture is a dying art and one that should be treated with caution and care.

Circular saw
Wood stripping
Drill
Wood drill bit
Wood glue
Wood nails
Wood stain

Instructions

- 1
  Cut your hardwood pieces with an electric circular saw. These saws achieve smooth, straight edges even through thick hardwood pieces. Cutting with a handsaw may compromise straight edges and splinter the wood along the edges of your table pieces.
- 2
  Assemble table legs with wood stripping. Match the material of your stripping with the type of wood you're using. For example, hickory legs require hickory stripping. Connect stripping with a nailer.
- 3
  Drill holes in hardwood pieces with a wood drill bit. Never use other types of bits on hardwood furniture pieces.
- 4
  Attach wood pieces with wood glue and allow proper bonding time, preferably overnight. Reinforce with wood nails and stripping.
- 5
  Apply wood stain to the finished product to bring out the natural color of the wood. Stains, such as polyurethane, are painted over the wood in a thin layer and allowed to dry.

How to Create Furniture Replacement Cushions

How to Build a Sofa Table With Turned Legs

Living Room Furniture