How to Create a Table Out of an Old Door for Outdoor Dining

Constructing your own table using an old door can be both cost effective and green. The project can be completed with in a few hours and will bring a rustic ambiance to your patio. Once constructed the table can be painted and decorated to match an existing design scheme. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Cut boards to the appropriate size. The table will consist of four long aprons, which are the boards that connect to the legs for stabilization. Cut one of the 12-foot boards into two 68-inch boards. Cut the second 12-foot board into two 70-inch boards. To create the short aprons, cut one of the 8-foot boards into two 41-inch boards. To create the legs, cut four of the 8 foot-boards into eight 31 3/4-inch boards. For the center stretchers, cut two of the 8-foot boards into 62-inch boards. To create the end stretchers, cut the remaining 8 foot board into two 39 1/2-inch boards.

2

Construct the first leg. Glue the edge of one of the leg boards (31 3/4 inch) to the face of a second leg board. Drive as many finish nails as needed into the assembly to hold the pieces together while the glue dries. Create all four leg assemblies in the same manner.

3

Glue a leg assembly to the face of a short apron (41-inch board). The edge of the leg assembly should be flush with the end of the short apron and the end of the leg should be flush with the edges of the short apron. Screw the faces of the legs to the short apron to secure it in place. Repeat step 3 for each of the remaining legs to create the two sides of the table.

4

Screw two of the long aprons (68-inch boards) to the leg assemblies. The long aprons should sit flush against the short aprons.

5

Turn the table base over so that the bottoms of the legs face upward. Measure 12 inches from the edge of the leg toward the top of the table and mark it. Place the end stretchers at the 12 -inch mark running parallel to the short apron. Glue and then screw the stretchers in place. To secure the center stretcher, measure inward 20 inches from the left and from the right. Center the stretcher between the marks and screw it in place.

6

Flip the table base over to attach the door. Place glue around the top edges of the base. Lay the door on top of the base leaving an even overhang. The size of the overhang will depend on the size of the door; older doors will be slightly smaller. Nail the door into place with the finish nails.

7

Sand any rough edges or groves to complete the table.