[NathanB]

My wife and I have looked for a new dining table but can't find anything we like for a reasonable price. We are looking for something with a rustic look using reclaimed wood and a wash finish. The size we need is 60" x 40" which further limits our choices. I am thinking of repurposing our exsiting table by reusing the base and putting a new top on it. I found a local source for reclaimed barn siding. It comes in approx 1 inch thickness and they can mill to even thickness and put edges on it. I am thinking of using something like 1/2" baltic birch plywood and then put the barnwood on top of it and add another layer of barnwood around the edges below the top so it apears 2 inches thick. The plywood will will help to give a flat surface and provide additonal strength. I don't think just 1 inch thick barnwood edge glued together will be strong enough. I would like to finish it with a lime wash and possibly some stain but will have to experiment. Suggestion appreciated.

Thanks

 

[NathanB]

After some more thought I think I will build a frame out of 1x4 or 1x6 and use screw from the bottom side to mount it to the top. It will be lighter than the plywood and I think strong enough.

 

[NathanB]

I think these should do the trick.
I have seen them used on some dining tables I saw at some furniture stores:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=784&site=ROCKLER