Finished Product First! Using 3 4x4 post from the lumber store I made this simple rustic log looking table using mainly my table saw. The table is approximately 18" by 18" by 22" high. You can watch the build video for an even more detailed look at how to make this table

What you see here is all the 4x4 post cut to rough lengths required for the project. They are PT SPF from the big box store. They don't need to be PT by any means but if you want this to be an outdoor project it is a good idea and to also use waterproof glue.

After all pieces were rough cut I started making up a jig to drill centered holes in the end of each piece for mounting on my table saw lathe. I simply marked the center with kitty-corner lines making an x in the center. The blue hose is called loc-line from lee valley.

I then attached 2 pieces of scrap to 2 sides of the block that I drilled the hole in the center to create a jig that sets up against 2 sides of the logs.

I began by building the legs. There are 4 in total and have a tenon on one side of the legs and flat on the bottom.

This shows using the jig to drill a hole 5/16" wide by 1.25" deep to be able to mount to the table saw lathe.

I then mounted the leg to the table saw lathe. If you are curious about the table saw lathe check out my YouTube channel "DIY Builds".

I started by raising the saw blade over several passes to dial in the correct diameter of the legs (3").

I created a width jig to dial in the end tenon width (1.25") as I rose the blade.

I then lengthened the tenon to allow for the cylinder shape to slide into the holes that will be drilled in the top.

I then cut the legs to length of approximately 22" on the miter saw.

I then brought the 4 legs to the drill press to drill holes in the sides about 5" off the bottom for the bottom shelf tenons to sit in. I cut a v into a scrap 2x4 piece to stop the leg from rolling off the drill press table.

The holes were about 1" deep by 1.25" diameter.

Next was making the bottom shelf stretchers.

I ripped the 2 pieces by taking 4 passes at different heights on the table saw as I don't have a rip blade just a combo blade.

I then ripped the pieces to width about 2" by 2.5".

Using a speed square I marked a center point slightly off centered towards one long side to shop where to drill holes for the table saw lathe.

Using the center jig I drilled the holes by eyeballing it and using the jig to keep the drill bit 90 degrees to the piece.

I then mounted the stretcher on the table saw lathe.

I started by rounding them out to approximately 2.5" diameter.

I then used the table saw lathe to spin the log as I sanded it to 120 grit.

I raised the blade into the front to create 1 side of the tenon.

I then lowered the blade and moved it to the back and raised the blade to create the other tenon.

Taking several passes on the table saw I created a rabbit on one side of 3/4" by 3/4"

Next was building the top out of 6 pieces of 4x4 post.

The top pieces are ripped to about 2.75" thick for the top edge. I took several passes to rip these as my blade is only a combo blade.

Again I used the centering jig to drill both ends of all 6 top pieces.

I ripped off both sides to create a smooth surface for gluing later. 3" width.

I once again mounted the top pieces to the table saw lathe.

I dialed in the height and in 1 pass I turned down all 6 pieces to the same diameter as from that point I did not change blade height between pieces.

I then sanded to 120 grit using the table saw lathe to support the logs.

I used standard carpenters glue to attach the 6 top logs together as the table will remain indoors.

I clamped the pieces with 6 bar clamps to evenly distribute clamping pressure.

I then sanded the top to 240 grit.

I used the table saw to even up both sides and cut to correct length. This also cuts off the part with holes drilled in it for mounting to the lathe.

Same for the other side.

I drilled 4 holes in the underside of the top for the leg tenons to glue into.

Last was cutting up the scraps from the tops to make the 4 pieces for the lower shelf.

The scraps were ripped down to 2".

I used the table saw and a feather board to thickness the scraps to 3/4" to match the rabbit made in the stretchers.

I then cross cut the pieces all at once on the miter saw.

I used my pocket hole machine to make 2 pocket holes in each end of the shelf slats.

I laid the shelf pieces on a flat piece of melamine and spread glue along the runners.

I used the pocket hole screws to act as clamps for the glue to set up.

I then sanded to 240 grit.

I did a dry fit to make sure everything was ok.

I used construction adhesive as it acts as a void filler more than wood glue and some of my joints were less than perfect.

I then pressed all the joints together to make glue squeeze out.

Gravity held the legs to the top and a ratchet strap held the lower shelf in place. I added a few clamps to attach to squares to make sure the legs weren't leaning .

I gave the table 2 coats of poly urethane.

All done!

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