Homemade Hickory Kitchen Tables

Hickory includes 16 different species of trees, including pecan. Hickory is used often in rustic furniture and is considered a hard wood. It will frequently dull saw blades and other tools. Although extra effort must be used to work with hickory, the results are usually worth it. The grain in hickory is unique and makes beautiful furniture. Does this Spark an idea?

Using Hickory Logs with Plywood

Shagbark hickory

Although hickory in general is course in texture, shagbark hickory has a very rough texture and without its leaves looks somewhat like a scary Halloween tree. Shagbark hickory is often used in rustic furniture. Use shagbark hickory logs (from 3 to 4 inches in diameter) for legs on a table. Kitchen table legs should be from 28 to 36 inches in height. To use the logs, saw the ends off to make all surfaces flat and even. Attach the logs as legs, using wood screws 1 inch back from each corner of a -inch sheet of cabinet grade plywood (available in hickory or pecan), forming a table top. Pre-drill the holes for the screws to make the screws go in easier. Fasten a 1-by-4-inch piece of lumber (use pine or cedar) to each leg directly under the plywood, lining up the edges of the lumber with the edges of the table. This will provide support for the table and stabilize the legs. Sand the table top and the 1-by-4 lumber smooth and stain the 1-by-4 lumber to match the hickory. If desired, stain the table top. Finish with wax to protect the wood.
For a variation, move the legs back 2 inches from the corners of the plywood and leave a 1-inch lip over the 1-by-4-inch lumber. Bevel the 1-by-4 boards on one edge to create a decorative edge under the table. To finish, attach molding around the top edge of the boards directly under the table.

Using Hickory Plywood

Build a table from two -inch sheets of 4-by-8-feet hickory plywood. Use one sheet to cut two pieces that are 36 inches by 4 feet. Using wood screws, fasten a 3 foot, 10 inch long 2-by-4-inch piece of lumber across each 36-inch piece, 8 inches down from one end of each 36-inch piece and 1 inch back from each edge. Attach the other sheet of plywood to the top edges of the 2-by-4-inch boards, forming a table top. You should have an 8-foot long table with two sides that protrude 8 inches over the top of the table and provide support for a 28-inch high table. For extra support and stability, line up with the edge of the table and attach 8 foot long 1-by-4s, forming braces in the front and back of the table. Attach the braces to the 2-by-4s and to the top of the table, using wood screws. Stain the table and to protect the wood, wax the top of the table.