Thanks: 0
Likes: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 5 of 5
-
2nd May 2013, 10:06 PM #1Senior Member
- Join Date
- Feb 2004
- Location
- Perth,WA
- Posts
- 246
Method to fix a simple leg to a desk top?
Hi,
I need a method - fixing - to secure a simple leg, probably just a straight 1½ins square, to the underside of a 1ins top but I cannot use rails this time as there will be cabinets under (not fixed cabinets). Similar to the attached picture (I hope!)
Thanks,
Bob H.
-
2nd May 2013 10:06 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Posts
- Many
-
2nd May 2013, 11:19 PM #2.
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Perth
- Posts
- 27,807
I assume the desk is to be of all solid timber construction?
If you expect to connect legs to top via a timber to timber only connection then I'm afraid it will be forever weak and liable to snap a leg off every time that desk is move or even just bumped into. The other thing to watch out for is people who sit on the edge of tables and desks.
They way I would do it is weld up a 5 mm thick flat steel strap frame that spans the distances between the legs and inset that into the underneath of the top - this would also strengthen the top. Where each leg was to be located I would double the thickness of the steel and drill and tap a 12 mm thread. Then I would epoxy a 12 mm bolt at least 200 mm long into the legs and screw each leg into the frame.
-
3rd May 2013, 02:10 PM #3
The pictured table looks like it uses square tube (steel) for the legs.
You [i]could[/] weld up a steel frame for the top to sit on, turn it all upside down, mark around the frame on the underside of the top to countersink it into, using a router.
You could also make the tabletop a bit "thicker" by the judicious use of trim around the edges to conceal any exposed frame.
But to make it all out of timber? It'll always be flimsy unless you use ridiculous amounts of concealed trickery-pokery.
- Andy Mc
-
3rd May 2013, 11:01 PM #4
Bob
typically that style of top is made from veneered MDF or particle board, is about 35mm thick and the legs are screwed into steel inserts or a steel plate similar to Bob L's steel strap
In solid wood, I suggest local thickening (two or three 1" layers) where the legs attach
use round tenons into round mortices to hold the legs -- or the steel plate and 1/2" steel machine screw
try and incorporate a rail on the sides without the moveable cabinetsregards from Alberta, Canada
ian
-
4th May 2013, 02:19 PM #5Senior Member
- Join Date
- Feb 2004
- Location
- Perth,WA
- Posts
- 246
Hi,
Thank you each for the advice and suggestions. I've heeded the advice and have rethought so as to use steel legs spot welded to a plate and screwed to the top. Also the back and one side is now to be fixed via wall battens so all should be firm. The desk top is in an alcove situation, well sort of, and won't be moved.
Thanks again for the help.
Regards,
Bob H.
Similar Threads
-
sharpening knives on waterstones: japanese method vs western method
By J_SAMa in forum SHARPENINGReplies: 5Last Post: 28th December 2012, 04:35 AM -
Most stable computer desk? Desk wobbles too much.
By qld in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 0Last Post: 8th September 2009, 12:16 PM -
simple desk pen in corian
By glenn_mcculloug in forum WOODTURNING - PEN TURNINGReplies: 6Last Post: 7th June 2008, 10:08 PM -
Opinion on method?
By Skew ChiDAMN!! in forum WOODTURNING - GENERALReplies: 22Last Post: 13th September 2007, 02:29 PM -
Cutting method
By dazzler in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 7Last Post: 9th November 2005, 08:43 PM