I Built A Rustic Outdoor Table from Wood Worm Slabs!

Building an Outdoor Table From Wormy Slab Wood

After spending years exposed to the elements, the slabs I had sitting outside had certainly seen better days. Weathered, discoloured, and riddled with woodworm trails, they didn’t look like much. But with a bit of vision and a lot of elbow grease, I decided to turn them into something useful—a handmade garden table.

Stripping Back the Years

The first job was to sand the top slab back to bare wood. I used my Festool Rotex with 40-grit paper for this. The aggressive cut made quick work of the grime and greyed surface. Then, I took out my No. 4 hand plane to tackle any high spots. I wasn’t aiming for perfection—this table would live outdoors, and movement in the slab was inevitable. But a good, clean surface was the goal.

Breaking Down the Slab

Next up was taking the second slab and turning it into usable planks. I ran one edge over the planer to create a straight reference side for the table saw, then ripped it down into 75mm strips. These would become the legs and stretcher sections. I wasn't concerned with flattening the face too much at this point—preserving material was more important.

Getting Thick, Strong Components

Once the boards were cut down, I planed one more edge to make them square and then passed them through the thicknesser. To bulk them up, I glued the pieces together in pairs, effectively doubling their thickness. I used Cascamite polyurethane glue for its strength and water resistance, and pressed them in my veneer press for a solid bond. Once cured, I scraped off the squeeze-out and cleaned up the surfaces ready for machining.

Half Lap Joints and Joinery

For the upper stretcher, I needed to cut multiple half lap joints to accept the cross bearers that attach under the tabletop. These joints help keep the top flat and resist cupping or warping. I built a quick jig using MDF to ensure consistent spacing and alignment, and it worked perfectly.

The leg assemblies came next. I cut 12-degree angles on the ends, then marked out my joinery using the Festool Domino. Using exterior-grade dominos ensures the table can handle being outside. To clamp the angled joints properly, I used some spare blocks cut at 12 degrees to keep everything square and tight.

Final Assembly and Fixings

Before final assembly, I drilled for threaded inserts using my new drill guide. These allow me to bolt the top to the base securely but also remove it if needed. I used the Domino again to cut oversized mortises to allow for seasonal wood movement.

Finishing It Off

Originally, I planned to spray Rubio Monocoat DuraGRIT, but when I couldn’t find the tin, I switched to their Wood Cream. It still offers great protection and is designed for outdoor use. I brushed on two coats, waiting about an hour between each, then left it overnight to cure.

The Result

What started as rough, wormy slabs ended up as a sturdy, weather-resistant garden table. It’s not just functional—it has character and tells a story of transformation. From rough lumber to finished piece, the journey was messy, satisfying, and worth every splinter.

If you'd like to see the full build, head over to my YouTube channel and watch the process unfold step by step.

Want to build your own? Drop me a message or check out more behind-the-scenes content on my socials. I'm always sharing tips, tools, and the real story of woodworking, warts and all.