Reader Project: Modified Viking Table and Bench

The Family Handyman reader Kevin Rusch wanted to build a dining room table. When he saw the Built-to-Last Viking Long Table and Heavy-Duty Viking Bench, he knew with a few modifications, these plans would work.

Photo Courtesy of: Kevin Rusch

Here are a few highlights from Kevin’s project:

• Douglas Fir was used for the base of the table and the bench, with Red Oak as the trim.
• For the tabletop, he chose Trail Oak Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring instead of wood.  This surface is waterproof and doesn’t have any gaps.
• He glued pine boards together (which are reinforced) under the vinyl tabletop as the table was getting pretty heavy using the Douglas Fir wood.
• Since he didn’t want any exposed screws showing on the outside of the oak trim, he used Kreg screws underneath the table and bench.
• The stain was a mixture of Red Oak and Summer Oak.  The Douglas Fir stained much darker than the Red Oak, but he really liked the difference between the types of wood.
• Finally, he made one bench, so he could use his existing dining room chairs around the table.

Photo Courtesy of: Kevin Rusch

Photo Courtesy of: Kevin Rusch