Is there a golden rule for table leg placement?

Need to think about leg positions for the two tables I'm making.

I bet there is an ideal place to position them - a rule based on proportions.

The legs will be steel - I like the combination of steel and wood (and find steel easier, to be honest).

I don't want the legs positioned right on each corner. I want them positioned in from the table ends and in from the table sides.

The tables are 2.1m long x 850.

I'm not great with proportions, so I'm not sure what would look best. I bet one of you blokes would have an idea.

On the bottom is good, other wise it is just a 4 poster boat. :D

https://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...oat-large-.jpg

:hahaha::hahaha::hahaha:

Tut! These jokers... honestly! :U

Those tables are a fair size, so I would place the legs about 125mm or 150mm in from the corners.

Proportion would depend on the top thickness, a thick top you would inset the legs more than a thin top unless your going for a light/dainty look.
Also other things like the depth of the apron and stretchers will effect offset, you could match the depth of the aprons with the overhang if the top thickness allows for it.

Thanks guys.

It's a tricky thing, proportions.

I made a mock-up of the legs and positioned them in various places to see what looked best.

150mm in from the sides worked and a bit more in from each end.

I haven't made a table before - or any furniture, for that matter - so it's a bit of trial and error. And on the weekend I had to spend a bit of time correcting one of those errors.

Scott
what looks best, should for a 2.1m long table, take second place to what will get in the way of the diners
2.1m is long enough for 3 people each side, at 600mm per place setting -- or were you thinking 4 people per side?
do you have the chairs for this table, as the chair seat height will influence some of the dimensions

Thanks Ian.

I get what you are saying.

I was thinking two people per side - I like plenty of room when I eat - and one at each end.

But when both tables are together and it's 4.2m long in total, I'm imagining 6 per side (and one at each end).

I'm hopefully going to weld up the legs this weekend and then trial a few positions with chairs in place and maybe plates (maybe even people).

I've got some chairs that I'll use (720 height suited them) but I also have some timber left over so I think I'll knock up a couple of benches, too.

I will take some photos.

Scott
some dimensions for you

minimum place setting 600 wide x 400 deep

optimum place setting 750 wide x 450 deep -- any bigger and it gets hard to pass the salt.

so a 2100 x 850 table should be comfortable for 6, and still just suitable for 8.
two of these tables together would possibly be too roomy for 10 (with a over wide place settings down the side, still comfortable for 12 and possibly a bit squeezy at 14.

where you place the legs will have a major impact on how the tables work, both individually and together.
I suggest you use a piece of chalk and draw out a couple of leg arrangements on the workshop floor and then arrange the chairs and see how it looks.

Thanks Ian.

I welded up the legs on the weekend and had a play with the positions.

The size of the table was dictated in part by the timber I had. Ideally, the tables each could have been a bit longer.

I made the household participate in the leg positioning exercise. There was a fair bit of eye rolling and 'Oh dad, you're so lame'.

I've decided on the positions. Somebody is sure to get stuck with a leg, but it won't be me - I'll be at the head of the table.

I'm a bit late to the party, but generally the offset from the end should be greater than the offset from the side. It's largely one of those things that you have to eyeball, but I'd say somewhere between 30 and 50% more overhang on the ends.

The party is still going strong. There is plenty happening. A lot of mess, a bit of ugliness. I'm confident everything will be okay.

Yep, you're right about the legs. I've been trialling a few positions. They look best 150mm in from the sides and 230mm in from each end.

Might not be best for sitting, but as I said I'll be at the head of the table.

The legs will be fixed this weekend.