A trestle table is a dining table that is supported by two vertical supports, one at each end. These supports are called trestles and give the table its name. This form of table manufacture has been practiced in Europe for over 500 years and is seen as one of the classic methods of table construction. Thanks to the stability of the design, trestle tables are easy to manufacture at home, providing the wood you decide to use is not too heavy and your table is not too large. If making a table longer than about 5 feet, it is advisable to add another trestle for extra support. A mission trestle is a specific type of trestle design, with three or more bars incorporated into each trestle support. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Cut a plank of the wood using a coping saw. The plank should be as long as the width of your table and 5-inches wide. Use this plank as a template and cut another identical plank from the wood. Mark these two planks A and B. Cut another plank of wood to the same width and length equal to the height of the bale, minus 4 inches. Use this plank as a template and cut five more identical ones. Mark these planks C, D, E, F, G and H.
2. Cut a large rectangular piece from the wood. This should be the same size and shape as the surface of your table. Mark this piece with an I. Clean all the pieces of wood with hot soapy water, without losing track of which piece is labelled with what letter. Use an electronic sander to smooth the rough edges of the wood and create a neater finisher. Cover the sanded surfaces with a coat of clear varnish to protect the wood.
3. Drill a hole at the mid-point of plank A. This hole should be the same diameter as that of the wooden dowel. Drill an identical hole 2 inches to the left and right of this hole, making a line of three holes parallel to the sides of the plank. Cut three 6-inch lengths of dowel and smear the lower 2 inches of each with wood glue before inserting them into the three holes and leaving to dry. Do the same thing with plank B.
4. Drill a 4-inch hole into the dead center of the end of plank C, then drill an identical hole into the dead center of the other end. Pour wood glue into one of the holes and slide it onto one of the exposed dowels on plank A. Maneuver plank C so its sides are flush with the sides of plank A and the two planks are perpendicular to one another. Repeat this with planks D, E, F, G and H until all the exposed dowels are covered. Clean away the excess wood glue with a blunt knife.
5. Decide where you want the trestles to go beneath the table. This is generally in the middle of the table's width and about 1/4 of the way along its length. Measure this out on the underside of the table and make a mark where corresponding holes would have to be drilled to line up with the ones in the ends of planks C, D, E, F, G and H. Drill these holes -- the same diameter as the dowel -- and position the table on top of the trestles so the holes all match up.
6. Cut six more 6-inch lengths of dowel and pour wood glue into each of the holes. Push each of the 6-inch lengths of dowel into a hole and hammer into place until it is flush with the table top. Wipe away any excess glue and smooth the top of the dowels with sandpaper. Carefully brush varnish over the top of the dowels if required.
Tags: wood glue, 6-inch lengths, 6-inch lengths dowel, lengths dowel, your table