How to Build a Walnut Slab Coffee Table

Shop for your slab piece at a local salvage yard or lumber yard. It's smart to call around and compare costs in order to get your best price - as this can still be a costly project. You will also need to purchase a slab that is large enough to act as the surface of the table and to cut off enough wood to create the legs.

Once you have your slab, you'll also need to make sure you have three different saws for the process: a circular saw, a chop saw and a flush-cut saw. You will need to lay your slab on top of two saw horses. One side of the slab will be used for your table top, while the other will need to be cut up for your table's legs. 

In order to cut out the legs, you'll want to mark four 14 inch lengths using a circular saw the cross cut the markings. Cut down the legs as square and even as possible, allowing about 5 degrees off one end of each leg to allow for stability since the tabletop will be naturally uneven. Mark where you want to attach the legs at the bottom of your tabletop. You will want to attach 6 inch lag screws and then align the pilot holes of your legs to the screws so they can be attached.

Using the hex attachment on your drill, fasten your lag screws in place through the table, until the screws sink down into place. Use a plug cutter to create plugs for your nail holes from a scrap piece of your walnut. Glue the plugs in place and let dry. Once your table is complete, sand it down until the surface is smooth enough to your liking. These same steps can be used to recreate smaller side tables or taller bar tops. 

For less than half the price of a salvaged walnut slab table, you've been able to build your own eco-friendly construction.