For example, tables like the one below. Is it a solid planked top or veneer?
http://www.broyhillfurniture.com/Furniture/Dining-Room-Furniture/Bryson/i103578-Broyhill-Bryson-Leg-Table.aspx

Here is a link that might be useful: Broyhill

It says solid oak....so it had better not be veneered.

And remember a piece may be solid wood....but still be veneered. Solid wood simply means no particle board.
The words to look for are "solid oak...or solid walnut...or solid cherry".
Also remember that veneer was used so that very beautiful grains of wood could be used in table tops and drawer fronts....not to save money....because when fine furniture woods were cheap and plentiful, it was more expensive to veneer a table top.
Linda C

I agree you can find many high quality veneered tables but I prefer a solid wood table. In the long run a well built solid wood table is more repairable and less trouble.

That's my take. I need a solid table, so that the inevitable scratches, nicks, etc. will become part of the patina, and if all else fails that I can sand and refinish. Think rustic. Yet, I still have a hard time identifying veneer, especially if inexpensive woods are being simulated. For example, the table below. It says solid pine, but hen in the description it says solid wood and wood veneer, so what is it?

Here is a link that might be useful: pine table

That ridged top is laid on....put your mouse over the corner of the table....you can see it.
Why would you want a table with grooves to catch crumbs and yuck to use for food??
Check household auctions and estate sales.

How can I assess whether this table is really solid wood and not veneer?

Here is a link that might be useful: CL table

The top looked veneered--that's how you get the pretty pattern where the grains meet at an angle. It's not a bad thing!

Thank you for pointing this out. I still have a lot to learn...

If you need someone else to agree that the CL table is veneer....here's my vote!!

So, whenever you have this kind of pattern, it's veneer, or are there tables where it isn't?

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It's possible maybe but I don't think it's all that likely.

And think of how big a chunk of tree they'd have to use if each quarter of that table was from a single piece of wood.

Basically, fancy tables with patterns in the grain or different decorative edges or large spaces between seams are likely to be veneered. If it looks like someone could have glued a bunch of smaller boards together into a big board and then cut out a table, it's solid. But if there aren't many seams in the grain and it would have had to have come from a giant sequoia tree, odds are good that it's veneered.

For solid wood, oak is usually a good bet.

Veneered tables are technically still (usually, especially with older CL stuff) solid wood...just not the same wood all the way thorough. :)

You should give veneer another try. Just sand gently and keep it out of the rain.

Yes, keeping it out of the rain is definitely good advice :)
However, how durable is veneer for daily use with a bunch of sloppy family members?
Also, how big a deal is it to rip off the veneer and uncover the "cheap" wood underneath?

Sloppy family members? I have those. Veneer isn't bad. But to kid proof (and make it cleanable), a nice thick coat (well, several light coats) of a bartop polyurethane--while making it a touch plasticy looking--will make it almost invincible!

I wouldn't do that to anything valuable, but sometimes that's what it takes to make furniture family-friendly.

Under no circumstances would you want what is likely under the veneer. I have seen several tables where that was done...it's ugly.
Your best bet will be an antique table....like the one linked below. Solid as a rock.....

Here is a link that might be useful: solid oak