DIY Zinc Top Table-Building the Table Base

This is the first part of three post for our DIY zinc top table-building the table base. You can read the process of adding the zinc and also the final reveal for the table. I have been wanting to build a DIY zinc top table like I had seen at my favorite high-end store. We built the base of the table with pine boards and a sheet of plywood for the top. We added four chunky white pine table legs to give the table a farmhouse look. We purchased a roll of zinc and attached the zinc to the table top. Our DIY zinc top table is so gorgeous and this is the first piece of furniture that we have ever built.

DIY Zinc Top Table-Building the Table Base

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My husband and I have been remodeling and renovating our homes for a couple of years but we have never built a piece of furniture. We had the opportunity to take part in a small group where we had access to tools and a warehouse to work in. I knew that this would not be a cheap project but I wanted something well made and something that might stay in our family for years. I know they thought I was crazy when I said that I wanted the farmhouse tabletop to be covered in zinc. Luckily for me, I had the inspiration pictures on my phone and everyone thought that it just might be gorgeous. We did end up saving a good bit of money by building the table ourselves. 

The first thing we did was purchase these gorgeous Extra Large Fluted English Tavern Table Legs from Tablelegs.com. I talked with the company on the phone and they were extremely helpful with helping me choose the legs that would look best for our table. The legs are very heavy and well made, and we received the legs within a few days. I really believe these legs are what makes this table so beautiful! Personally, I like the table legs on my table better than the legs on my inspiration table.

Now, on to constructing the table!

We purchased two pieces of 8′ x 4′ x 3/4 inch plywood that we glued together for the table top.

We flipped the top over and attached the 2″ x 4″ pine boards to the table top using a Kreg Jig and glue.

We added two boards to the center for support.

We decided to build boxes that would go around the legs thinking that we could remove the legs if needed. We thought that this would make it easier to transport the table and to get the table into the doors of our home easier. We placed the Extra Large Fluted English Leg on the table and marked where to place the box for the legs. 

We used a clamp to tighten the box while we glued and screwed using a Kreg Jig. 

We numbered each leg and the corner where the leg went after we built the box. That way, we are sure to have the correct fit for each leg.

Our diy zinc top table base is built and the table is ready to stain.

I called the people at Table Legs back and asked them about what stain to use. I decided to use Minwax in Special Walnut. The wood has such beautiful grain that I wanted it to show through the stain.

Side note: All the chairs were thrifted. Thrift store score! Sign up for my emails to get my “Secrets to Thrift Store Shopping” plus more freebies!

Don’t forget to check out our DIY Zinc Top Table-Applying the Zinc.