Round Table

**Devery** · 4th May 2016, 05:11 PM

Hi all,

I'm currently working on a round table design and I'm trying to figure out the best way to brace the frame because in its present form I'm getting some wobble, I'll do my best to explain.

Each leg is firmly planted on the ground, thats not the issue. The issue I'm having is the table wobbling when pressure is applied to the table top. I guess the overhang is working as a lever and flexing in the legs. If I push the table in one direction it will spring back then wobble back and forth for about a second or two. Each leg is attached to a rail & the rails have a half lap joint in the middle. I've made another prototype where I added bracing between the rails and it didn't do much to stop the wobble. I've also tried threaded inserts on this version inside the table top and bolted it to the frame (with a reasonably large clearance hole on the frame).

Any suggestions?! I'm hoping there is a general rule to solving this. If its about using thicker stock, I'd like to avoid it but if its unavoidable then so be it. Perhaps adding another set of rails down the base of the design, again I'd like to avoid it but if it has to happen...

Thanks,
James.

IMG_1050.jpg IMG_1049.jpg

**rustynail** · 4th May 2016, 05:42 PM

A gusset at the rail and leg intersection should solve the problem.

**AlexS** · 4th May 2016, 07:02 PM

I suspect that a more effective method than a gusset between the legs & rails would be to stop the rails twisting when the top is turned. If you can put cross-pieces on the rails near the legs using half-lap joints and screw them to the top you should get rid of most of the wobble. The half-laps will need to be nice and tight.

**Devery** · 4th May 2016, 11:36 PM

Thanks so much for suggestions. Just to clarify I've attached two drawings to make sure I've understood your suggestions.

Rustynail, is the gusset as I've drawn at the rail and leg intersection? Obviously it could be quite a few shapes.

AlexS, I was thinking of something like this today, it seems like a good solution. What sort of dimensions & how close to the leg would I need for it to help with stability. I can imagine the half lap would need to be just right to stop the flex.

Thanks again!

**AlexS** · 5th May 2016, 06:39 PM

Devery, that is what I had in mind. The cross pieces don't have to be terribly large, but I think they probably should be the same depth as the rails. In my mind, I had the cut-outs for the joints the other way round, i.e. on the under sides of the rails and the top sides of the cross pieces. The cross pieces should be as near as possible to the legs.

**rustynail** · 6th May 2016, 03:35 PM

The idea I had in mind was a gusset on each side of the rail as per AlexS suggestion. I had opted for gussets as I assumed the table was already assembled, making it difficult to install short rail pieces.
Your drawing showing the gusset reinforcing the rail to the leg would also help.

**Devery** · 19th May 2016, 12:41 AM

Thanks for all the help everyone. Works well.

table1.jpg

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Round Table - How do you brace it?

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