Dining table using laminated panels

[pete_brig]

A fine dining table was created using timber panelling, steel legs plus stain and varnish. 

• The project
• More inspiration for your dining table project

The project

Being in need of a dining table and not a fan of flat pack, I made a new one using a Hardwood Laminated Panel and Rapidmesh Furniture Legs. 

I cut the panel back from 2400mm to 1800mm and then rounded all the edges with a router. Initially, I just rounded the corners on the long edges with a hand plane and tried to sand the ends, but then I opted for the router on all the edges to get a better pencil-round finish.  

To stain it, I used Bondall Walnut Monocel Stain and Varnish. I chose walnut to counter the lightness of the colour of the panel I had, and it helps to hide the joints in the panel. I used an applicator pad to avoid brush strokes, and the stain and varnish helped me achieve a more uniform colour. 

More inspiration for your dining table project

New to woodworking projects, community member Dean surprised himself when he created a Spotted Gum dining table using old pallets.

Experienced Workshop member Rylie (LePallet) used Australian Messmate timber and steel legs to create a solid Hardwood dining table.

Find more furniture project ideas in our Top 10 most popular indoor furniture projects.

Need help with your project? Start a discussion and the community will be happy to help.

[Dave-1]

@pete_brig 

That has come up pretty swish! And the best thing is you made it yourself! I didnt nitice the joints until you mentioned them. How long did you tak to bring it all together?

Dave

[EricL]

Hi @Dave-1 

Let me tag @pete_brig to make sure they are aware of your kind words and question. I totally agree it is an amazing dining table and the flawless painting job just gives it a fantastic finish.

Eric

[pete_brig]

Thanks @Dave-1 for the compliment.

I can't remember how much time it took. The construction/assembly was straightforward because I used pre-fab metal legs. There was minor effort to cut the panel down in length--I actually cut pieces off both ends because there were "marks" on both & I wanted an undamaged finish. Routing the edges didnt take long but was essesntial bcos the squared edges were unfriendly for a table top. So, most of the effort went into finishing--sanding the top & applying the stain/varnish. I think I used 2 coats of the stain/varnish & the recommendation is 6 hrs between coats. I didn't want to do a 3rd coat bcos I didn't want it any darker so should've applied a clear coat. I also didn't fill the cracks etc bcos I wanted  rustic finish but they're traps for dust, food crumbs etc so am considering filling with a clear resin & applying a final clear coat.

Cheers, Peter

[pete_brig]

P.S. I used a Vic Ash panel and cut it down to 1800 mm to fit my smallish dining room, shortening both ends bcos they had splits--one piece is 900x400 that I'm going to make into two 450x400 heavy duty cutting boards 😊 

I like the grain & rustic finish with gum veins etc. However, they're a great trap for dust & crumbs so I'm planning to do a minor makeover by filling them, hopefully with clear epoxy so that the details are still visible.

Cheers, Peter

[Dave-1]

@pete_brig 

I like the idea of an epoxy but am terrified of using it and making a mistake. Also a little bit inside me is concerned about plastic when I sand things ect (as in creating waste) The thing that pushes me towards ep[oxy is I dont want a spilt drink to run beween the timber slats lol. Catch 22.

I also like the idea of building somethingto fit a situation. Id love a snooker table but standard sizes wont really fit my room... Yep, thats a project for another day

Dave