Ours to Keep…..Maybe
Much to Ellie’s disapproval, I have sold our Farmhouse Table to others on 2 different occasions now. It’s been on my “to do” list for quite some time to build her a replacement table. I just finished what will potentially be our family’s dining room table for many years to come. I built this one the exact way that I’ve built all the other ones. Here’s the table plans, here’s the bench plans, and here’s the extension plans. It’s final measurements come in at 45″ x 96″.
The one big difference on this one is that I tried a new finishing process that I’ve done on one other tabletop. It takes a lot more time but I think it creates a pretty permanent worry free finish. It’s a little less rustic than I would like but it should stand the test of time.
The process is essentially; Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, then 2-3 coats of stain, a coat of Sanding Sealer, then 4-5 coats of General Arm-R-Seal on the top of the table top and 2-3 coats on the underneathside….all with some 220 grit and/or steel wool sanding in between.
Here’s the finished product is some of our standard shots;
Can you tell a difference?
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Hi Tommy and Ellie,
I LOVE the farmhouse table that you have shared. How long would it take for you to make and ship this exact table with one bench and two extensions? How much would shipping to Long Island, NY be? Thanks for your help!
Nicole
How much did this cost to make?
Tommy and Ellie:
Some friends from my church (I am the preacher at the Three Chopt Church of Christ in Richmond, VA) asked me to build them one of your Farm House Tables with one bench. I told them I would but don’t know how much to charge them. They are buying all the wood so all I have to do is keep track of my labor and I guess charge them what I think is fair when I get done.
But, I would like to know what you get for the 96X45 with benches. What would you sell that for total? That will help me know how much a fair price would be. Thanks.
Bob Odle
804-477-5484 (Cell)
I usually charge $900 for a table of that size (with two 15″ extensions) and then $150 per bench….so $1200 total.
Tommy & Ellie:
Thank you so much for your generous help, not only in answering my question about the cost for the Farmhouse Table but your generosity in sharing your work ideas with all of us. May you be blessed richly for your generous spirits.
My friends/customer came by yesterday with their chosen lumber for their Farmhouse Table. They went with Ambrosia Maple for the tops and aprons. Beautiful! I will be adapting your plans to make the frame as described and then substituting the Ambrosia Maple as needed. This is a much larger project than I am used to doing (my “specialty” is small boxes, humidors, and other small items such as mail organizers, remote control caddies, coat racks, etc.) so it will present some challenges.
I will use biscuits, clamp and glue the top since I am used to that process. I have purchased a Kreg Jig System and will try it out on the frame (rather than my old stand by: mortise and tenon). But, again, I am not used to it so it may take some learning. Hope I don’t completely mess this up!
Thanks again for all your help. May you be blessed in all areas of your life.
Bob Odle
804-477-5484 (Cell)
I too am interested in your new finishing technique. Everything I read indicates to ONLY put sanding sealer on bare wood. Why do you do it after staining? Like just about everyone else who has posted I say a huge “Thank You” for your time and work on this site. It has helped us greatly on our table. We are to the finishing part and are town to which route to go. Thanks again and prayer sent for your little one.
You can skip the sanding sealer and just go straight to the topcoat….but I like using it because it sands down real well. It leaves a little haze/powder so you know if you’ve got good coverage as well as if you’ve sanded it down enough. Scuffing your poly should do the same but I think you can see it better with the sanding sealer. Strictly a matter of personal preference.
Got it , thanks. Makes sense. What exact sealer and final polyurethane do you use. I ask because I know you can’t use certain sanding sealers with some polyurethanes. In fact, one of the sanding sealers I saw indicated to ONLY use a certain lacquer finish and I don’t think that would hold up to everyday use (heat, spills, children, etc.). Something in the chemical makeup would cause the polyurethane to gum up instantly. Once again, thank you for your insight.
I use General Arm-R-Seal oil based poly in semigloss. It’s the best. The sanding sealer i believe is just your standard Minwax from Home Depot. It can be used with water or oil based topcoat.
Hello Tommy And Ellie,
I really like the Farmhouse table and bench you built. Very impressive. Do you have the plans for the bench that goes along with the table. If so, is it possible to get a copy? Side note – I have been following your sons progress on your website. I’m a RRT who works critical care and I see a lot of what your son is going through everyday. God bless you and your family! PS: Thank you for being so willing to share your plans with so many people!
i can tell a big difference! my friend is building this table for me in a few wks, and i’ve gone back and forth on how i want him to finish it. this solved the problem! the briwax concerned me, b/c i have 4 (soon to be 5) children, and need a table surface that can withstand spills, marks, etc. being easily mopped up. i certainly didn’t want to have to re-coat the entire table every year with the wax. i LOVE the glossier surface of this table. beautiful. Did you use gloss or semi-gloss? thanks!
Hey Tommy, what’s your new staining procedure? I’m about to finish my table. Thanks!
Cool. Thanks for sharing. We are so excited to make ours now!