How to Join Boards for a Tabletop

One of my favorite projects is creating functional pieces that can be used daily. Whether this is a dining room table or a side table, a key component of making these pieces is to join the boards together for the tabletop. If you do not join them together, you can get crumbs, dust, and debris into the cracks which are very hard to clean and keep clean. In this article, I am going to tell you how to properly join boards together for a tabletop.

Before we start putting the tabletop together, you will need to decide what kind of wood you would like to work with. The best wood for a tabletop depends on your personal preference, budget, and style. However, some common factors to consider are durability, hardness, grain, and look.

Cherry wood: This is a popular choice for formal dining room furniture because of its reddish-brown color and warm hue. It has a nice grain that comes out with the right stain. Cherry wood can be very costly though. So, if you decide to use it, make sure you measure twice and cut once!

Hickory wood: This is a perfect choice for a rustic-looking table because of its reddish and cream hues and natural texture. It is one of the strongest and hardest woods available, but it can be difficult to work with. Because of its strength and availability, this wood can be very expensive.

Oak wood: This is a classic choice for farmhouse-style tables because of its light brown color and prominent grain. It is a weather-resistant and resilient wood that can withstand wear and tear. Because of this, it is more expensive.

Pine wood: This is a budget-friendly choice for casual tables because of its light color and pleasant-looking grain. It is widely available and easy to work with, but it is prone to dents and scratches which is why it is the cheapest out of the ones I listed.

After you have chosen your wood, it is time to start constructing your tabletop.

Cut the Boards

Cut the wood into even-sized pieces and square the edges with a table saw or a planer. Make sure the edges of the boards are flat and square. If the edges are uneven or warped, the joint will not be tight and strong, and the tabletop will end up being uneven.

Applying the glue

Apply wood glue to the end of one plank and secure it to another plank with wood screws, nails, staples, pocket screws, dowels, biscuits, or mortise and tenon joints. Any of these options will work. In the past I have used pocket screws and filled the holes with dowels, sawing them off and sanded to leave a clean finish. This method works but leaves a circle of a different kind of wood on the underside of the tabletop. Also, I have used a drill bit to drill a hole into the board and used the dowel in the same method as a biscuit to join the boards together.

Make sure to choose the right type of wood glue for your project. Different types of glue have different properties, such as water resistance, drying time, and strength. For example, PVA glue is a common and versatile choice, but it is not waterproof and can be affected by humidity. Epoxy glue is very strong and waterproof, but it can be messy and hard to work with. Polyurethane glue is also strong and waterproof, but it expands as it dries and can stain the wood. Apply enough glue to cover the entire edge of one board, but not too much that it squeezes out excessively. A thin and even layer of glue is enough to create a strong bond. You can use a brush or a roller to spread the glue evenly.

Repeat

You will then repeat the process until you have the desired width for your tabletop.

Clamp the boards together

Clamp the boards together and let the glue dry. Align the boards carefully and clamp them together. Use a straight edge or a level to check that the boards are flush and aligned. Use enough clamps to apply even pressure along the joint. Make sure the clamps are not too tight or too loose, as this can cause the boards to bow or slip. Wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth before it dries. If you leave the glue on the surface of the wood, it will interfere with the finish and create an uneven appearance. You can also use a scraper or a chisel to remove any dried glue after the clamps are removed.

Let the glue dry completely before removing the clamps or working on the joint. The drying time depends on the type of glue, the temperature, and the humidity. Follow the instructions on the glue bottle for the best results. If you find yourself with any gaps in your tabletop you can use this simple and effective method for small gaps that are not too visible. You can use wood glue that is a fast-drying and mix it with sanding dust from the same wood as your tabletop. Apply a thin layer of glue over the gap and sand it with fine-grit sandpaper until the glue and dust fill the gap. You may need to repeat this process a few times until the gap is completely filled.

Finishing the tabletop

Finally, it is time for you to stain or paint the tabletop to match your home’s decor. Choosing the right stain color can make a big difference in the appearance and durability of your wood tabletop. You will need to consider the type of wood, desired color, the finish you are looking for, and the application method of the stain.