The Barnsley Hay Rake Table

Built by hand. The original versions of this table were built using lots of hand work. And so the author honored that tradition when he built his version of this Sidney Barnsley classic.

Inspired by the agricultural tools of rural England, this massive oak table is awash in hand-worked details.

As a young fellow growing up in the countryside of Wales, I clambered over many a farm wagon, climbed into many a loft in barns that were jointed and pegged, and tripped over many a hay rake on my adventures.

I have always appreciated the simple, utilitarian, yet pleasing design of the vernacular woodworking of the countryside. My inspiration for furniture forms has always been the work of the wheelwright and coach maker. And the inspiration for how to build things came in part from Sidney Barnsley and Ernest Gimson.

Barnsley and Gimson were men of the Cotswolds school of craft…