How to Build a Maple Wood Table

Making the Apron Frame

• 1

  Lay two planks of 40-inch 2-by-4 maple flat on a work table on a 2-inch edge with 28 inches between them.

• 2

  Insert a plank of 28-inch 2-by-4 maple between the ends of the 40-inch planks to form a rectangle, and a third plank of 28-inch 2-by-4 maple between the middle of the 40-inch planks. Glue the ends of the 28-inch planks to the sides of the 40-inch planks and set the apron frame in corner clamps to dry.

• 3

  Drill two pilot holes, sized for the shaft of 3-inch wood screws, through the sides of the 40-inch aprons into the ends of the 28-inch aprons.

• 4

  Secure the apron frame together with 3-inch wood screws driven through the pilot holes. Remove the clamps and set the frame aside.

Making the Tabletop

• 5

  Lay a plank of 48-inch 2-by-12 maple flat on your work surface. Apply carpenter’s glue along one of the 2-inch edges of the plank and abut a second 48-inch plank alongside the first, pressing them together so the glued edge bonds with the adjacent 2-inch edge of the second plank.

• 6

  Clamp the two planks together with F-clamps so they form a single plank 24-by-48 inches. Let dry.

• 7

  Apply carpenter’s glue to the exposed 2-inch edge of the second plank and abut a third 2-by-12 plank alongside. Clamp the three planks together. This creates the tabletop of 32-by-48 inches, which will seat six people comfortably.

Assembling the Tabletop and Apron Frame

• 8

  Lay the tabletop flat on your work table, with the underside of the tabletop facing upward. Apply glue to the top of the apron frame and center the apron frame over the exposed underside of the table top.

• 9

  Drill pilot holes sized for 5-inch wood screws through the apron frame every 6 to 8 inches around the perimeter, as well as through the central plank of the apron frame into the underside of the table top.

• 10

  Secure the apron frame to the table top with 5-inch screws driven through the pilot holes into the table top. Leave the tabletop upside down with the underside and apron frame exposed.

Attaching the Legs

• 11

  Insert a plank of 28-inch 4-by-4 maple into each corner of the apron frame for the table legs. The top of the legs need to flush with the underside of the tabletop. Use F-clamps to hold the legs upright in the corners of the apron frame.

• 12

  Drill four pilot holes, sized for 4-inch lag bolts, through the apron frame into each side of the leg that is touching the corner. There will be eight bolts per leg.

• 13

  Secure the legs to the apron frame with 4-inch lag bolts driven through the apron frame into the top of the legs. Keep the table upside down, with the legs clamped upright still.

Attaching the Braces and Finishing the Table

• 14

  Insert a 20-inch length of 4-by-4 inch lumber between each pair of legs, parallel with the shorter side of the apron frame. Slide the planks down so they are 12 inches from the end of the legs. This will create an “H” shape between the legs.

• 15

  Secure the ends of the braces to the legs with two 5-inch wood screws driven through the legs into the ends of the brace pieces.

• 16

  Fit the remaining pieces of 28-inch 2-by-4 lumber between the end braces, centered. Secure the cross brace to the end braces with two 5-inch wood screws driven through the end braces into the end of the cross brace.

• 17

  Turn the table upright so it is standing on its legs. Finish the table with the wood finish of your choice. A clear varnish or natural wax or oil finish will preserve the natural beauty of the maple.