Making Table Tops

You have the frame of an old table but the table top is either missing or you simply don’t like it anymore, so you want to make a new one. Making table tops is a simple enough project that just about anyone can do, particularly when making square, rather than round, table tops. Whether you’re a woodworking enthusiast, a do-it-yourselfer, or you just don’t have a lot of money to go out and buy a new table, you can make tabletops with little equipment.

Table frame 3/4-inch pinewood board Wood glue Clamps Chisel Sandpaper Wood stain (optional) Paint (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the size of the frame that you are going to be putting the table top onto and then add about 2 inches to those dimensions to get the dimensions for your table top. For example, if you have a frame that measures 24 by 24 inches, you want your table top to measure at least 26 by 26 inches.
- 2
  Cut a 3/4-inch pinewood board to the size you came up with for your table top with a table saw. You can purchase pre-cut wood at almost any hardware store to avoid having to cut it yourself.
- 3
  Apply wood glue to the top edge of the frame and then place the table top over the frame. Clamp the pieces together and allow at least two hours for the glue to dry.
- 4
  Chisel off any excess glue that seeped out from between the frame and the table top, and then sand down the entire table with sandpaper until the wood is completely smooth.
- 5
  Apply a layer of wood stain, or paint the table however you want.

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