Thread: Joining table top to legs

Carpo,

If you are making it out of solid timber, I suggest that you consider using sliding dovetails.

50mm aluminium angle both sides of the legs screwed every 75mm or so and end the angle about 100mm from each end, you could add to the strength by a blind rebate for each support top, otherwise

broomstick dowells, would give good strength ,or a say 200-250 plank on its side between the centre of the two legs wold give the best support , and if you were worried about the appearance ,you could arc in centre , would give good strength and be aesthetically pleasing to the eye. bob

ps if you dont follow i could send you a drawing of what i mean

this is what i mean. bob hope this helps

What Wood Borer said.

If it is all solid timber then divide the dovetail on the leg into 1/5 dovetail, 1/5 space, 1/5 dovetail, 1/5 space, 1/5 dovetail.

The socket in the underside of the top needs a square housing to the left of the dovetail socket so the leg drops in and is pushed to the right to locks/slides in.

Only glue and screw the middle sliding dovetail.

If I were doing one I'd do through tenons with ebony (or similar) wedges to lock them in tight. But realistically even the harder timbers will loosen up over time so you really need the rail down the middle like robyn said.

Originally Posted by Toolin Around

If I were doing one I'd do through tenons with ebony (or similar) wedges to lock them in tight.

Solid timber, through tenons and timber movement over a 10000mm width?

Originally Posted by Lignum

Solid timber, through tenons and timber movement over a 10000mm width?

Surely it is not 10 metres wide?

Originally Posted by Lignum

Solid timber, through tenons and timber movement over a 10000mm width?

Actually the suggestion is not as stupid as it sounds and as there is no cross grain construction timber movement is almost irrelevant.

If top and base are made from the same piece of timber and grain flows from base to top to base and are finished the same then the difference in relative movement is almost zero. No need to allow fas all parts more the same ammount in the same direction.

Now in a normal construction where you had legs connected by a rail at the top forming a skirt under the table then you would have a point as you would have a classic example of cross grained construction.

Rgds

Ross

Originally Posted by Pusser

Surely it is not 10 metres wide?

He has a big family

Originally Posted by Different

Actually the suggestion is not as stupid as it sounds and as there is no cross grain construction timber movement is almost irrelevant.

If top and base are made from the same piece of timber and grain flows from base to top to base and are finished the same then the difference in relative movement is almost zero. No need to allow fas all parts more the same ammount in the same direction.

Now in a normal construction where you had legs connected by a rail at the top forming a skirt under the table then you would have a point as you would have a classic example of cross grained construction.

Rgds

Ross

Good to see you back Ross

You make a very valid point, and yes you are right.

What would be stronger, a housed sliding dovetail or a housed through tenon?

The through tenon would look better, but i would feel more comfy with the dovie

Originally Posted by Lignum

Good to see you back Ross

You make a very valid point, and yes you are right.

What would be stronger, a housed sliding dovetail or a housed through tenon?

The through tenon would look better, but i would feel more comfy with the dovie

Good to be back if only for a visit!

It was something that always bugged me when i realized that there are cases where timber movement does not cause a problem but we are so used to constructing to take it into account we just assume it is always a problem. It is one reason many of my tables are constructed just like this example. I also like the look if one piece of grain running from floor over the top and to the floor again.

Rgds

Ross

Pics to follow next week when i get back to Melb, but the tables i have made using that design were all torsion boxes. Makes life so much easier

[edit, just seen- Awesome tables- i have always liked your work, well done ]

Originally Posted by Lignum

Pics to follow next week when i get back to Melb, but the tables i have made using that design were all torsion boxes. Makes life so much easier

[edit, just seen- Awesome tables- i have always liked your work, well done ]

Lignum
This must be some kind of record for us 3 posts and not a harsh word from either of us! We must be getting old!

Rgds

Ross