Thread: c channel for tables

Parallel Flange Channel Sizes - Bits of Steel Supplies

Thanks for that but not quite what I was looking for The channel the americans are using only has a depth of 6 to 8 mm so you need to rout that depth into the table underside As far as I can tell it has a width of between 50 to 70 mm
Cheers

70 x 25 or 50 x 20 or 50 x 25 RHS and cut with an angle grinder down the centre length on the 20 side and you have your 2 pieces for the table

Originally Posted by rwbuild;[URL="tel:2267903"

2267903[/URL]]70 x 25 or 50 x 20 or 50 x 25 RHS and cut with an angle grinder down the centre length on the 20 side and you have your 2 pieces for the table

I can almost guarantee the RHS will bow if cut like that, that’s been my experience when I tried to make C Section this way.

Cheers Andrew

Originally Posted by AJ.

I can almost guarantee the RHS will bow if cut like that, that’s been my experience when I tried to make C Section this way.

Cheers Andrew

Thanks Andrew, my suggestion was based on thinking outside the box and not from personal experience so your experience is far better than my idea.

Originally Posted by kikuyu

I have seen numerous references to American (on youtube) woodworkers using C channel to accomplich the same thing.. An elegent solution, it is specifically designed for this with expansion slots for screws to allow for wood movement.

Do you have a YouTube link showing the channel, so the we can see what you’re talking about?

It's been a while, but I think my old work used 50x25x5mm C channel for tables. A CNC router made cutting the underside easy, but there's no reason you can't do it by hand.

All the places online that sell table top c channel or table stiffeners show it as 2" x1" x 5/32", which is American for 50x25x5mm. I'm also curious to know where you're getting 6-8mm from, it doesn't sound right.

5/32" is actually just under 4mm, which is probably thick enough for the purpose.

Originally Posted by DJ’s Timber

Do you have a YouTube link showing the channel, so the we can see what you’re talking about?

blacktail studio has a few videos covering what he uses, how and why.

Cheers Andrew

This is the closest that I can find in Oz. (a Lysaght product)

Screenshot 2022-01-14 211332.jpg

Try unistrut, ezystrut, flexistrut and the like. This stuff isnt a perfect C as it has little bends at the ends of the channel but it is designed to support quite a bit of load with little deflection.

Can purchase pre-slotted as well.

Thanks for the responses everyone.
As a matter of interest there are many youtube videos on fitting c channel Where I first saw it was on blacktails studio on Youtube. He makes resin filled slab tables very beautiful. Conceptthirteen.ca actually makes it as a purpose made product and they also show their product and how to install They will deliver overseas. 2" wide 1" depth with the wing depth of 3/4" various lengths with pre cut slots.
The only reason I seriously considered it was I was thinking of getting some pre made table tops from ASH in Heyfield victoria. Very good value and well done. The only draw back is the timber, usually victorian ash is STD Thats 19% and over moisture content. 7% is optimum for me. They do seal them in plastic once they are made but cupping could be a problem thus the c channel solution. ( I usually do my own glue ups for table tops and incorporate timber stiffeners)
On reflection I am not convinced 100% that routing a number of 3/4" slots across the table to fit these stiffeners especially as the top might only be 38mm thick Only leaves 19mm maximum of timber Could be a weak spot. Would appreciate others opinion of this.
Cheers
Tim

Indeed you have removed timber and created a weak point but by inserting steel sections you have re-occupied this space with steel which is far stronger than the timber it has replaced. I really dont think it is anythi9ng worth worrying about.

I remember seeing a thread on here some where about the C channel with a link to an australian stockist. I don't remember it being that expensive either.

Can't seem to find the thread or I'm searching for the wrong info, but I commented that it would be hard to find and the next poster put up an aussie link.

Again can't find it