How to transform common decking into a beautiful side table
In short: You don't need exotic hardwoods to create high-quality furniture. By repurposing standard construction materials like fir decking and balusters, you can build a functional, elegant side table using professional techniques like pocket-hole joints and tapering jigs.
In this DIY project from This Old House, general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates how to construct a simple side table using accessible, stock materials. Rather than sourcing expensive specialty lumber, the build utilizes fir stock typically intended for outdoor decks. Specifically, the tabletop is crafted from 5/4-by-6-inch fir decking, while the aprons—also known as spreaders or rails—are made from 1x4 fir decking. The four legs are fashioned from 2x2 fir balusters.
The construction relies on several fundamental woodworking mechanisms to ensure durability and aesthetics. To create the legs, a router equipped with a 1/8-inch-radius rounding-over bit is used to shape the edges. A tapering jig, constructed using plywood and a toggle clamp, allows for precise shaping. For the structural assembly, a pocket-hole jig facilitates the use of 1-inch pocket screws to join the wood parts securely.
Finishing touches and hardware are essential for a professional result. To prevent the tabletop from cracking due to wood movement, Silva uses 5/8-inch screws paired with double washers, which are set into recesses drilled with a 3/8-inch spade bit. To protect floors, furniture glides are fastened to the base of each leg. The final appearance can be customized using primer and paint, wood stain, or a clear polyurethane varnish.
This approach highlights a core principle of woodworking: the ability to elevate common building materials through precise joinery and thoughtful finishing. By mastering tools like the miter saw, table saw, and random-orbit sander, a builder can transform basic construction timber into a piece of home furniture.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Simple Side Table | Build It | Ask This Old House
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