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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Queen Anne Tables Cut in Half

    Queen Anne Tables Cut in Half

    Published by Gail | Published January 10, 2017 | Updated January 3, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Two vintage queen anne tables meet a saw and the rest is history. How to repurpose furniture into new useful pieces. This pair of stacked tables is unique. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #upcycled #furniture #diy via @repurposedlife

    I think y’all know how much I love cutting up thrift store furniture. While looking at this pair of Queen Anne side tables, one of the vendors at Vendors’ Village called me out and said. “You’re thinking awfully hard on those tables, it’s a good deal and he just put them out”. hahaha  I wasn’t trying to decide whether or not to buy them, I was trying to figure out how I would cut them up. Smile

    Thrift Store Queen Anne Tables

    vendors village side tablesAfter I told Joey what I had in mind and I decided to buy them, I wondered “why didn’t I have a flat cart, I ALWAYS use a big flat cart when I shop the back room”. Joey helped me get the first table in and the second one upside down, but it kept wanting to slide all around. Then Kevin (the booth where I got these tables) happened along, and helped us figure out THIS configuration to allow the tables to travel safely through the store and to my car.

    Pin it!

    Keep scrolling for great tips on how to achieve this project . . .

    old queen anne side tables repurposed furnitureThe queen anne tables were in fair shape, and a good deal at $5 each.

    *this post contains affiliate links*

    Dismantle Tables

    cut queen anne side table in half

    I knew I would cut the tables, but as I pondered the possibilities and which saw to use I felt it was best to remove the table top and cut them separately. It was seriously easy—just remove 4 screws.

    Here’s the thing about saws, whether it be a table saw or a circular saw blade. You’re suppose to set the blade so that there is a small clearance beyond what you’re cutting. You can see that the skirt of the table would have needed considerable room to clear it. Then the table top would have a huge amount of blade protruding and that is not safe. Granted I could have cut up the skirt, across the top, and down the other side of the skirt. But That was a LOT of distance to travel across that table top and keep a straight line. Sometimes a few extra minutes makes it a smarter move regardless.

    Cutting a table top on the table saw

    cut table top in half on table sawCutting the table top in half lengthwise was so quick and easy on the table saw. Because of the kerf of the blade, I ended up sending the piece on the left through as well, and about ⅛” was cut off making the two pieces exactly the same size.

    I love my self centering tape measure

    self centering tape measureSee how nice this  self centering tape measure helps to find center of the queen anne table? Smile

    mark line with combination squareI used a combination square to mark my center line.

    Easy Cutting with a Jigsaw

    cut table in half jigsawFor table #1 I used my jigsaw to cut the table skirt in half.

    NOTE: I put together table #1 completely then did table #2 a little differently.

    Cutting a table in half

    queen anne side table cut in half

    cut table in half with compound miter saw

    For table #2 I removed the legs and cut the skirt on my compound miter saw. PLEASE REMEMBER: remove the fake drawer hardware before attempting to saw this table in half.

    side table in halfNotice that the front of the table will be supported with the original clips. The sides need to be stabilized somehow. After doing this next step, I moved the clips from their original holes to allow the sides to be flush with the back of the table.

    Attach new table top with Kreg Jig Pocket Holes

    stabilize table skirt with kreg pocket holesAdding a couple of Kreg Jig pocket holes is the perfect (easy) way to stabilize the sides of the table. If you don't have a Kreg Jig, you can always use  "L" brackets.

    kreg pocket hole screwsI use so many pocket hole screws that I buy them by the thousands!

    kreg multi markThe Kreg Multi-Mark helps me get the top spaced equally all around the skirt.

    Testing how the tables fit

    dry fit queen anne tables into shelfBecause there are no rear legs, doing a dry fit on the driveway was a good way to see how this was all going to come together.

    repurposed furniture queen anne side tablesHowever, to see how they would look visually standing on top of one another, I had to use the diy picket fence as a “wall”.

    The conclusion? The top table is too tall to rest onto the bottom table.

    Back to the drawing board

    cut feet off of queen anne tableThe decision was made to cut the feet off of the queen anne table legs. I did it on my compound miter saw, using a paint stick to try to make the leg a little more “square” so the cut won’t have an angle. Doing the first one was easy, getting the others to match was a little more challenging.

    better dry fitI like the lower top table much better!

    Now, I just had to figure out how to secure the top table to the bottom table. It seemed like it was not going to work for awhile.

    how to add legs to furnitureI used a sharpie to draw a circle around the bottom of the cut off table leg.

    How to attach stacked tables together

    drill pilot holeRemoving the legs on the bottom table allowed me clearance to drill pilot holes in the center of the circle.

    Bar soap aids in driving long wood screws

    soap on screwsI added some bar soap to some very long screws.

    gorilla wood glueThis image gives you a better angle of how the top table will be secured to the bottom table. I used my favorite Gorilla Wood Glue for extra strength.

    Bar clamps are helpful while wood glue sets up

    clamp upper table to lower tableI used a bar clamp to hold the two tables together so I could secure the very long screws.

    These are the large wood screws I used.

    countersink screwsCountersinking the screws will allow me the room to reattach the legs to the lower table.

    The queen anne tables are now stacked

    another testing of the design of queen anne shelvesOne more check to make sure that the screws put the table legs in the proper place.

    side view of queen anne table shelvesI love how they look from the side view.

    attach cleatI used the Kreg Jig to make more pocket holes on a scrap 1x  (1x2.5) to use as a cleat. Holes were drilled near the top of the board for the new owner to attach these unique queen anne table shelves to the wall.

    countersink pilot holesI used a countersink bit so the screws will lay flush with the cleat.

    cleat not visibleYou can see that the cleat won’t even be noticeable when the new shelving unit is installed.

    two new queen anne table shelves using repurposed furnitureNot one, but two new Queen Anne tables shelves!

    Time to paint

    diy chalky paint primer Finish MaxI used a little oops paint to make some DIY chalky paint primer for my Homeright Finish Max. The color is sort of an off white. I got 5 gallons last year, and parted it out into this 2 gallon container so I could easily manage it.

    paint upside downAs always, I begin painting my new shelves upside down so I can get the underneath side.

    painting new queen anne shelvesAfter those backsides dry a little, I tip the new table shelves over so I can continue painting the first coat.

    second coat queen anne table shelvesWhen doing the second coat using the paint without the plaster of paris, I stood the table shelves up against my easy diy sawhorses  to get better coverage with my Finish Max. (I later filled the handle holes on the sides)

    White queen anne tables

    queen anne table shelves before embellishments MyRepurposedLife.comI stood the table shelf up against the fence to see how it looks, and I decided it might need a little “something” else.

    Paper Molded Appliques

    IOD paper clay moldsMy IOD molds and a package of paper clay were the perfect addition for this project. This mold is Baroque #4. I filled the mold with a little extra paper clay, pressed it down really well, then used a large putty knife to scrape off the excess. After removing the excess, I used my finger to smooth out the remaining paper clay, then removed the mold before it “set up”.

    iod paper clay mold piecesI find it best to make up the entire package when I open it. These are the other designs I made, flipping them over a few times as they dried.

    Glue paper appliques onto tables

    attach iod paper mold with gorilla glueI poured out some Gorilla wood glue to dip the pieces in, but found that painting the glue on with my finger was a much better option.

    glue on iod paper clay moldYou can see that the paper clay is in the process of drying. It turns whitish as it dries. I chose to attach the embellishments while they were still setting up.

    cherub moldThese little cherubs were a fun addition to the center of each table (shelf).

    painted table shelves with appliquesA quick coat of paint (by hand) all over the table shelves blends the appliques in. I considered glazing the pair, but decided to take them to the booth to see if they sell “as is”.

    side table wall shelves MyRepurposedLife.comI really love the way these shelves came out.

    queen anne side tables into wall shelves MyRepurposedLife.comI’m not sure if I will sell them as a set, or as a single. What do you think? If I’ve inspired you to think outside the box, please Pin It!

    gail

    See more repurposed furniture here

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    1. Cheryl@Artzzle

      January 08, 2018 at 2:05 pm

      These are nice, and something I've been considering as night stands in a bedroom. Your many talents and skills are to be admired, but for me, I just come up with the construction ideas and then paint the results. Hubs does all my carpentry work! We enjoy your projects 🙂

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 10, 2018 at 10:00 am

        You're lucky you have the extra help Cheryl! I'm a one woman show here, and it keeps me very busy!

        Thanks for your comment, it made me smile!!

        gail

    2. Kathy

      July 09, 2017 at 6:48 pm

      How did you attach it to the wall ?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        July 09, 2017 at 9:30 pm

        Check out the picture where I talk about the countersink bit. I drilled holes so that the tables could be screwed directly to the wall from underneath. Similar to this cleat table.
        https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/diy-console-table-made-from-a-table-leaf-and-odd-table-legs/

        gail

    3. Barbara

      January 18, 2017 at 10:43 am

      This is beautiful, Gail. What a unique way to reuse a good-looking table. I love the narrowness of the shelves - allowing one to place them in many different areas of the house. I love the embellishments you made for the front view - nothing like a cherub to set things right! What are you doing with the second table???

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 18, 2017 at 10:44 am

        Barbara,

        I did the exact same thing with both tables. So, now there is a set of matching shelves. I'll be taking them to my booth when I have room to display them there.
        Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it. 🙂

        gail

    4. Suzanne G. McClendon

      January 11, 2017 at 9:40 pm

      These are beautiful! Queen Anne is my favorite style of furniture. I don't know if I could have brought myself to cut the tables in half, but maybe being a thrift store find would make that easier to do. I don't know its history, so I can give it both a future and a new history.

      Thank you for such an informative post and all of those great pictures! Have a blessed night. 🙂

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 12, 2017 at 7:24 pm

        Thanks so much for appreciating my project even though it was tough to see the queen anne tables cut up. 🙂 I appreciate your sweet comment.

        gail

      • Suzanne G. McClendon

        January 12, 2017 at 8:08 pm

        You're welcome, Gail. Thank you for always having such interesting posts. 🙂

    5. chris

      January 11, 2017 at 7:54 pm

      love these way better looking than "regular" shelves, sorry for your loss gail, and btw where in florida that's where i am from i am so jealous xx

      Reply
    6. girlfromwva

      January 10, 2017 at 12:41 pm

      WOW! really love how these look. thanks for including all the pics and directions so that we can know how it is done.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 10, 2017 at 12:59 pm

        I know!! so many pictures, but if it makes it easier for the next person (or safer) then it's all worth it.

        gail

    7. Mary

      January 10, 2017 at 10:56 am

      I really love that you show the steps you take! For those of us that are not that savvy on the "how to" aspect, it really helps. I always enjoy your page and love to see your newest creations!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 10, 2017 at 11:28 am

        I know there were a lot of steps, which makes the post incredibly long. So, that being said, I'm happy you appreciate that fact Mary!

        When I learn something, I like to pass it on.

        gail

    8. Wendi@H2OBungalow

      January 10, 2017 at 7:51 am

      Once again I learned something new...a self centering tape measure? Where's your aff link? I always buy stuff on your site! LOL Super cute idea and adding the IOD molded decor items was the perfect touch! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 10, 2017 at 11:29 am

        ohhhh Wendi, for those of us being math challenged, that self centering tape measure is a life saver! PS the hyperlink (affiliate is right under the picture of the tape measure)

        thanks for pinning!
        gail

    9. Jen

      January 10, 2017 at 6:29 am

      I love the idea of these shelves. If only my OCD would cooperate. It keeps looking for the rest of the legs. 🙂 But the other side of my brain appreciates how unique and cool they are.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 10, 2017 at 11:32 am

        Unique and cool is JUST what I was going for with these queen anne side tables Jen! 🙂

    10. Serena @ Thrift Diving

      January 10, 2017 at 6:26 am

      Hey, Gail! Awww...this is super cute! And I love that you brought in the clay molds. This piece was perfect for it! And man...I thought *I* was the only one who took 10,000 pictures for blog posts. HA! 😉 Teasing, teasing! Well done. See you soooooon!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 10, 2017 at 11:33 am

        I figure if I have a choice of a lot of words or pictures, I'll go with words Serena! lol

      • Gail Wilson

        January 10, 2017 at 11:34 am

        I figure if I have a choice of a lot of pictures or words, I'll go with pics! 🙂 So many details and tips to share!

        gail

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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