How to Build a Card Table With Old Wood Siding

Lay out the wood siding boards so that they form a tabletop grid with dimensions of 36-by-36-inches, cutting any boards that are too long. Apply wood glue between the boards and set them together for at least four hours. Apply a layer of glue to the top surface of the boards and lay down another layer of 36-by-36-inches of wood siding, running perpendicular to the original boards. Apply glue between the boards in this top level as well. Allow this glue to set overnight.

Support the tabletop board on top of four, 1 1/2-by-1 1/2-by-36-inch boards with the help of an assistant. Adjust the four boards, which will be the table legs, into each corner of the table, about 1 inch from each edge. Drill down through the top of the tabletop and into each leg to make a pilot hole. Position a 3-inch wood screw in each hole and screw it down completely.

Cut a 1 1/2-by-1 1/2-by-50-inch board at 45 degree angles to make eight trapezoidal support boards, so that each board has a 6-inch side and a 4-inch side. Position each support board against the side of a table leg and the tabletop. Drill through the support board into the table leg and the tabletop, being careful not to break through to the other side on either one. Place 3/4-inch screws in each hole and tighten them completely to secure the support boards.

Fill any holes in the tabletop surface with clear-drying caulking. Allow the caulking to dry and then coat the tabletop with one coat of polyurethane, using smooth, even strokes that go in line with the wood grain. Allow the polyurethane to dry for four hours and then apply three additional coats, allowing it to dry for four hours each time.