Thread: Suggestion to make the table well balanced.

Was there supposed to be a pic?

By "fall" do you mean that the table bends or deflects on the long edge when force pushes down on it?

Being a first post from America and without a picture I'm going to guess you are describing something like this Shaker style Trestle table.

shaker-table-close-up-oak-soap-b.jpg

I've always thought that style would be subject to over balancing if the table width to trestle foot length wasn't just right. If it is that style table then extending the length of the foot would probably solve the problem.

Thank you for checking and letting me know about the pics.
I have posted pictures using the url's earlier but that doesn't seems to be rendered correctly, updated it now.

It’s all about Centre of gravity and the distribution of forces across the base. The base is far too small. I suggest that you could attach the foot to a larger base. If you are clever, the new base will fit in with the table or will blend into the floor.

Thinking of arcylic square base with 3-4 inch thickness, either glued to original stand or epoxied.
If that works then how to calculate the right dimensions needed for the base?

Originally Posted by dvsrk563

Thinking of arcylic square base with 3-4 inch thickness, either glued to original stand or epoxied.
If that works then how to calculate the right dimensions needed for the base?

Hmmm... I feel that a round base would be more sympathetic to the look, in which case I'd apply this rule of thumb: minimum of 1/3 the maximum dia. of the top. An inch or two larger would be good.

I definitely wouldn't rely on glue to hold a base on; this joint would need to handle heavy stresses.

Personally, I'd be looking at sourcing a branch crotch of about the right dimensions to fit into the lower void(s) and affixing that in such a way that you ended up with three "feet" sticking out at around 120° angles. Much like many round tables with centre pedestals.

But this approach has a few problems. First, sourcing something suitable and secondly, a viable method of attatchment. Not a job I'd consider "simple."

Thank you for the details, I will definitely consider them, but being a zero hands on cuttings I will see how well I could make a round base. It will be a good learning for me though

For the simplest approach you could perhaps make up a timber X to use as a base to extend the existing footing. The trnuck leg could straddle the X and then be screwed to the cross?

An example of how to make the joint in the cross pieces is shown here:
How to make a Halving Joint - Woodworking Wisdom | Axminster Tools International