DIY Children's Table

Hey everyone! Welcome to our first post EVER! YAY! We are so excited to be blogging and showing the world who we IS and how we roll ;) To find out more about who we are, click on the about us page and read all about it! Ok, enough about us...LET'S MOVE ON ALREADY!

We recently received an order from a customer who wanted a table built for her children. We were super excited about this because sure, we have built things before, but this would be our very first tutorial for the blog and we could not wait to show you all how easy this build was. I am SUPER detailed, so all of my posts will have tons of pics, alongside details of each step, which (in my opinion) is a good thing because for those of you who don't exactly have that creative streak and need EVERY...SINGLE...DETAIL, you won't have any missing links :)

I have to be completely honest. I am not  fan of a Kreg Jig. It may work for some, but I just loath it lol. I have watched video after video, seen tutorial after tutorial, and still have not mastered it. It just seems less sturdy to me, but if you like it, I ain't hatin ;) You certainly can use one for this project, but I did not. I also must give a suggestion (haha can you tell I'm opinionated). This is merely an opinion, but with what we have built thus far, we have seen first hand that Lowe's seems to have better quality wood than Home Depot. The prices seem to be cheaper, buuuut, you get what you pay for and it definitely work paying a few pennies extra for the quality. Let's get started...SHALL WE!

Here's your supply list...

Drill
Philips head drill bit
Diamond head drill bit
Nail gun
Table saw (I guess you could have Lowes or Home Depot do your cuts for you, but that's a lot of cuts. Be sure your measurements are accurate if you do)
Tape measure
Square
Level
Wood glue
80 grit sandpaper
Sander
Stain of your choosing
Polyurethane (If you get poly shades, you can skip this step. It's the best of both worlds wrapped up in one can)
2 1/2" construction screws (1 box should do it)
2" Brad nails (for the chairs)
1 1/4" Brad nails (for the chairs)
2 - 2x4x8
1 - 2x3x8
1 - 1x6x10
10 - 1x2x10

Cut List for table...

3 cuts from 2x4 @ 22" - Short side of table frame & center support
2 cuts from 2x4 @ 36" - Long side of table frame
4 cuts from 2x3 @ 21" - Table legs
3 cuts from 1x6 @ 38" - Table top
2 cuts from 1x2 @ 38" - Table top

Cut List For Chairs...

8 cuts from 1x2 @ 26" - Long chair legs
20 cuts from 1x2 @ 12 1/2" - Back supports, short side of seat frame, and end plank for top of seat
16 cuts from 1x2 @ 13 /4" - Short legs & long side of seat frame
20 cuts from 1x2 @ 14" - Seat planks
8 cuts from 1x2 @ 9 3/4" - Left & right side panels

* Remember to add wood glue before attaching EVERY SINGLE piece*

Step 1:

Build the table frame. For this, you'll need your (3) 22" cuts and your (2) 36" cuts. You will use your 2 1/2" construction screws for the entire table. Take your 22" pieces and screw them into your 36" pieces.

Your third 22" piece will need to be directly in the center of the frame for support. Do your measurements to find the center. Yes, the legs are already attached, but that's because I get ahead of myself and forget pieces at times, so I had to go back and add it.

Step 2:

Add the legs. You''ll use your (4) 21" cuts for this. Take your leg and place it on the inside corner of your from, making sure it's flush with the top of the frame using your square to make sure they are level, then screw in. Repeat until all legs are attached.

Step 3:

Attach your top. Take all of your 38" cuts and make your table top pattern...1x6, then 1x2, then 1x6, then 1x2, then 1x6. Make sure you have a 1/2" or 1" over hang with your top. Screw the top planks all around the frame, making sure you go around the edges, then screwing them into the center support as well.

Fill all your holes with wood filler

You are all done with your table! YAY! Do a little happy dance and get ready, cause you have 4 chairs left to go (hehe). For the remaining steps, you'll use your nail gun and brad nails for attaching everything. 

Step 4:

Build the back of your chair. Take (2) 26" pieces and (2) 12 1/2" pieces. Attach the 12 1/2" pieces in the center of the wood on your 26" pieces as shown in the pic with your 2" brad nails. I added 4 nails to each piece on this step. These are the back supports for the chairs. Do your measurements to find the center. You might need an extra set of hands for this one (or clamps). Repeat this step for the other 3 chairs.

Step 5:

Build your seat frame. Just like your table, build a frame for your baby's hiney's to sit ;) You'll take (2) 12 1/2" pieces and (2) 13 1/4" and attach them just like you did your table frame, except with your nails. Repeat this step for the other 3 chairs.

Step 6:

Add your short legs. Once your frame is built, add (2) 13 1/4" pieces to the left and right outer edges of the 13 1/4' sides with 11/4" brad nails. Repeat this step for the other 3 chairs.

Step 7:

Attach your chair front and back. To do this, you'll need a level surface. Put your seat frame on the inside of your of the back of your chair. Make sure all legs are are flush with your level surface. Use your level to make sure all 4 sides of your seat frame are level. Nail the frame to secure with your 1 1/4" nails. Repeat this step for the other 3 chairs.

Step 8:

Add your left and right panels. For this, you'll need your 9 3/4" pieces. On the inside of your left and right sides of your chair. Attach these pieces with your 1 1/4" nails. Repeat this step for the other 3 chairs.

Step 9:

Add your planks. Your 12 1/2" plank is the back plank. Attach (5) 14" planks for the remainder of the seat. Making sure each plank sits flush with all sides. You'll have a slight over hang on the from. Nail in planks with 2' nails. Repeat this step fir the other 3 chairs. As you can see, it was dark in this pic lol. Worked until the weeeee hours ;)

OMG YOU'RE DONE BUILDING!! Buuuut you aren't done HAHA!

Step 10:

Take your sander and sandpaper and sand the heck out of that thing! Both table and chairs, making sure everything is smooth as a baby's booty!

Step 11:

Wipe it all down with TSP. This cleans up all of the dust from sanding. 1/2 cup TSP mixed with 2 gallons of hot water.

Step 12:

Stain or paint it as you desire. Then to ensure protection, put a top coat of polyurethane.

Friends, YOU...ARE...DONE!

How stinkin cute is this?! We are still receiving orders for this beaut so it looks like we will be making this one over and over again haha! Hope you all enjoyed this one. Let us know what you think.

Blessings - Eric & Sharla