This small kitchen table is about 12 years old and belongs to my
daughter - I customized the table and built the two benches so they nest beneath the trestle table.
Building a kitchen trestle table is a
project that can be fun and practical. This
simple, but sturdy trestle kitchen table can comfortably seat six
kids and will provide years of service. You can build this
table
practically for free with the materials laying around a
building site or your workshop;
I used some 2x4's left over from a building project plus
some 1x12 boards that I purchased. The required 6-foot pieces will fit
in the back of a small hatchback car!
Material List:
(2) 6-foot 2 x 6 for table trestle
and leg corner braces.
Use pine if you wish or a good hard wood.
(12) 6-foot 2 x 4's for table frame,
four legs, and
bench frames.
Use pine if you wish or a good hard wood.
(4) 6-foot 1 x 6's for the table
top and four bench leg braces.
(2) 6-foot 1 x 12's for the Bench
Tops.
(1) 3/4" plywood or hardwood
(not pine as it will shrink and twist) 4' x 4' for the Bench
Sides.
(1) 1/4" plywood 4' x 8' for the
table top nailer and bench top nailers.
Framing spikes to build the table
and bench support boxes. 2" nails to nail the table
and bench 1/4" plywood lids.
1", 2" and, 3" screws -
about a 1/2 pound of each.
Step 1, Build the Table Box Frame -
Select 2 x 4; cut the four pieces shown above; two pieces @
60" and two @ 20"; nail the frame together.
Select 1/4" plywood; cut a rectangle
@ 60" x 23"; nail it to the box frame; all edges should be
square and flush.
Step 2, Build the Table LegsSelect the 2 x 4; cut four pieces @
28 3/4" for the table legs; select 1 x 6; cut two
pieces @ 20" for the leg cross bracing; attach the bracing
to the legs with 2" screws as shown above. Use 3" screws to
attach the two sets of legs to each end of the table top as
shown above.
Select 2 x 6; cut four support
braces @ 8" with a 45 degree angle; attach them with 3"
screws as shown above.
Select 2 x 6; cut 1 piece @ 57" for
the trestle support; attach it with 3" screws to the
center of the 1 x 6
end braces as shown above.
Step 3, Attach the Table Top
BoardsSelect 1 x 6; cut 12 pieces @ 24" for
the table top boards; attach them with 1" screws through the
bottom 1/4" nailer; allow a two inch overhang on each
end.
Step 4, Cut and Assemble the
Benches - Select the 2 x 4; cut two pieces @ 47" and two @
9 1/4"; assemble them with the framing spikes as shown
above.
Select the 1/4" plywood; cut a
rectangle @ 9 1/4" x 50"; nail it to the frame with 2" nails
as shown above.
Select 1 x 12; cut 1 piece @ 53" for
the bench top board; attach it with 1" screws through the
bottom 1/4" nailer; allow a 3/4" inch overhang on the front
and back edges; allow 1 1/2" on each end as shown below.
Select 3/4" plywood; cut two
rectangles @ 11" x 17 1/4" for the bench end panels; attach
each end with one 2" screw into the 2x4 brace as shown
above.
Select 3/4" plywood or 1 x 12
pine; cut four right
triangles @ 8" sides for the bench end panel braces; attach
each brace with four 2" screws as shown above.
Select 2 x 4; cut it to 50"; measure
four inches up from the floor and attach this rail on center between
the two end panels with four 3" screws as shown above.
Use a filler
to fill all the screw holes, sand your table, prime,
and paint/stain to suit; and you are ready to sit and eat
comfortably on your new trestle table.
Here is the finished trestle table
and benches built with plans featured here!
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