2x4 Shaker Table

As I sat and started pondering my project for the 2×4 contest, I wanted to make something that I could use. I started thinking about what to make and came up with several ideas all of which I rejected for one reason or another. I was finally at the end of my project list. So, I had consigned myself to making something that we did not need. Making something for the sake of making it.

As I sat and thought about what to make, I thought about how minimal a 2×4 was for a project. As I went down that thought line, I naturally came to Shaker furniture. Not only did the Shakers try to squeeze every bit of usefulness out of a piece of wood, but they also made a lot of their furniture out of pine. So, finally I ran across this little round side table. That is what I will build.

The table is built out of one eight foot 2×4. It stands approximately 25” tall and is about 16” in diameter. It is finished with three coats of satin polyurethane that was brushed on. The legs are joined to the pedestal with sliding dovetail joints.

The best thing about the project is that it ended up being a project we could use. My wife said we could use this as a night stand for one of our bedrooms that we are in the process of transitioning to a guest room. Before she came up with that idea I had promised the table from this contest to another friend. So, what did I do? I ended building two. Both turned out good.

I really enjoyed this project. It gave me a reason to get out the lathe and make some furniture, and it really challenged me on some of my woodworking skills. I learned a lot from the project, and I improved my skill set. I am extremely satisfied with the outcome and will have one of the products in the house to look at and admire.

Since I asked on here about a jig to make the dovetails in the pedestal to attach the legs, I will post a project in the near future about the making of that jig. I need to get a couple of other things done first though.

Thanks to all for the sense of community here. It is really a great place. Good luck to all of my fellow contest entrants.

-- -- Rob Hix, King George, VA