Rustic X Dining Table And Bench Building Plan

Good morning Remodelaholic friends! It's Ananda from A piece Of Rainbow here today with another building plan for you – a beautiful set of dining table and bench with an unique X design detail!

We found this beauty (and look at that banquette, too!) over on Better Homes and Gardens here. Like our previous farmhouse dining table, this table is also rustic and charming, and it comes with a bench! Who doesn't love a dining bench??

Another great thing about this set is that it can be built with very simple tools. Let's take a look!

Free Plans: Build a Rustic X Dining Table and Matching Bench

Tools:

Circular saw or Jigsaw (not everyone has room for a miter saw, but if you got one, it's great for this project!)

Measuring tape , square, pencil, and safety glasses!!!

Kreg Jig, pocket hole screws, and drill

Random Orbital Sander

Finishing stains and sealers of your choice

 

Here's the overall dimensions of both pieces.

Cut List for table:

tabletop boards:

5– 2×8 @ 7'5″

tabletop braces:

3 – 2×4 @ 30″ (option: decorative 45 degree beveled cut on ends)

table legs sets:

4 – 2×4 @ 1'8.5″ as vertical posts

4 – 2×4 @ 1'9″ (option: decorative 45 degree beveled cut on ends)

2 – 4×4 @ 8 1/2” (option: decorative 45 degree beveled cut on ends)

cross piece :

1 – 2×4 @ 5'6″ (both ends cut at 20 degrees off square, ends are parallel)

2 – 2×4 @ 2'9″ (one end cut at 40 degrees off square, other end cut at 20 degrees off square, long point to long point, ends are NOT parallel)

1 – 2×4 @ 5'2”

Important tips before you start:

Take all necessary precautions to build safely with power tools. Work on a clean level surface. Use straight boards and check for square after each step. Always pre-drill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger bond. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects before glue dries.

Step 1: 

Build the tabletop first with 2X8 boards attached to (3) 2×4 braces from the underside with 2 ½” wood screws.

To give the braces a more interesting look, make a 45 degree beveled cut on each end like shown.

For a smoother tabletop, try using tongue and groove for the tabletop boards. ( 2×6 boards can also be used, adjust the dimensions accordingly )

Step 2: 

Build the two leg sets as shown here.

Each of the leg sets consist of one piece of 4×4 and the rest are all 2x4s.

Make the decorative beveled cuts like in step 1.

One option is to use pocket hole screws to attach the vertical 2×4 posts to the horizontal base. If you choose this method, place the posts so the pocket holes face inside.

The preferred method here is to screw the horizontal boards to the posts. Make sure the screws are countersunk.

Step 3: 

Add the stretcher with pocket holes to the underside. A good idea is to measure and cut this piece to fit the same distance apart as the legs sets.

Next, add the center X by cutting 2x4s with either a miter saw or a circular saw as shown in drawing.  You may need a little extra sanding and tweaking to adjust the fit. This element is decorative, so even if not everything fits perfect, it will not affect how sturdy the table is!

Below are dimensions for the bench. The building process is almost the same.

Cut List for bench:

top boards:

2– 2×8 @ 7'5″

legs sets and bench top braces:

4 – 2×4 @ 10″ as vertical posts

4 – 2×4 @ 1′ (option: decorative 45 degree beveled cut on ends)

2 – 4×4 @ 8 1/2” (option: decorative 45 degree beveled cut on ends)

cross piece :

1 – 2×4 @ 5'7″ (both ends cut at 10 degrees off square, ends are parallel)

2 – 2×4 @ 2'9.5″ (one end cut at 10 degrees off square, other end cut at 20 degrees off square, long point to long point, ends are NOT parallel)

1 – 2×4 @ 5'26”

Step 1: 

Build the bench top first with 2X8 boards attached to (2-3) 2×4 braces from the underside with 2 ½” wood screws.

Step 2: 

Build the two leg sets as shown above. Either use pocket hole screws to attach the vertical 2×4 posts to the horizontal base, or use wood screws. Refer to Step 2 of the table building plan for more details.

Step 3: 

Add the stretcher with pocket holes to the underside, and the center X element. (Click to enlarge image)

Below is a variation with 2×4 aprons for extra support and a more finished look.

There they are, our table and bench! Give them a good sanding, finish with paint or stain.

I love how the table and bench don't really match in color, yet match perfectly in design!

If you love wood working, here are a few recent projects- such as this before and after of our patio “remodel” with pallets

Or a pallet kitchen remodel, and a pallet kitchen island building plan!

Happy building!

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Other tables to build:

 

 

 

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