What is the best way to attach a table top to its base. I'm finishing
up the base of a standard sized "country" kitchen table. I was
initially planning on using the drill press to drill holes from the
underside of the rails, then screw the top on that way,
countersinking the screws and inch or more. I see that my current
purchased kitchen table uses a similar method, only using pocket
screws. My concern is that this method does not seem to effectively
allow for expansion and contraction of the top. What is the standard
approach?
Thanks
I insert a steel pin(16d nail) in the center top of the long rail, 1/8
to 1/4 inch is good, on each side.I use the button method in the
picture on another post to attach the top but I dont butt it up
against the rail, I leave about 1/4 inch. Sanding the bottom of the
button or the bottom of the tab will tighten the top onto the rails. I
round the nose of the tab on the disk sander so it will pivot into the
slot on the rail. Then tighten the screw.
Jack
[email protected] (Doug) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> What is the best way to attach a table top to its base. I'm finishing
> up the base of a standard sized "country" kitchen table. I was
> initially planning on using the drill press to drill holes from the
> underside of the rails, then screw the top on that way,
> countersinking the screws and inch or more. I see that my current
> purchased kitchen table uses a similar method, only using pocket
> screws. My concern is that this method does not seem to effectively
> allow for expansion and contraction of the top. What is the standard
> approach?
> Thanks
On 2 Oct 2004 17:55:29 -0700, [email protected] (Doug) wrote:
>What is the best way to attach a table top to its base.
Wooden L-shaped buttons inside the rails, screwed to the table top.
The rails carry grooves and the buttons engage with them.
You can make your own buttons pretty easily, but make them from
cross-grain stock from the end of a wide board, so that the grain runs
into the tongue of the button.
I use two shallow passes (double thickness) with a biscuit jointer to
make the grooves in the rails.
If you get the geometry right, the buttons can be turned without
removing them, so that the top can be removed for shipping.
--
Smert' spamionam
Try either tabletop fasteners (metal) from Rockler or equivalent or just use
wooden buttons (as in antique furniture). A picture of buttons at this
link: http://home.comcast.net/~cabierbaum/P6220005.JPG
--
Alan Bierbaum
Web Site: http://www.calanb.com
Current project: http://home.comcast.net/~cabierbaum/
"Doug" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> What is the best way to attach a table top to its base. I'm finishing
> up the base of a standard sized "country" kitchen table. I was
> initially planning on using the drill press to drill holes from the
> underside of the rails, then screw the top on that way,
> countersinking the screws and inch or more. I see that my current
> purchased kitchen table uses a similar method, only using pocket
> screws. My concern is that this method does not seem to effectively
> allow for expansion and contraction of the top. What is the standard
> approach?
> Thanks
On 2 Oct 2004 17:55:29 -0700, [email protected] (Doug) wrote:
>What is the best way to attach a table top to its base. I'm finishing
>up the base of a standard sized "country" kitchen table. I was
>initially planning on using the drill press to drill holes from the
>underside of the rails, then screw the top on that way,
>countersinking the screws and inch or more. I see that my current
>purchased kitchen table uses a similar method, only using pocket
>screws. My concern is that this method does not seem to effectively
>allow for expansion and contraction of the top. What is the standard
>approach?
>Thanks
There are several methods. You can widen the holes into slots.
Another way is to use clips or "buttons." Expansion-contraction
varies depending on conditions and the type-grain of the wood.
"Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 2 Oct 2004 17:55:29 -0700, [email protected] (Doug) wrote:
>
>>What is the best way to attach a table top to its base.
>
> Wooden L-shaped buttons inside the rails, screwed to the table top.
> The rails carry grooves and the buttons engage with them.
>
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Drill a screw hole in the center of the thick section. The hole can be
elongated to allow for wood movement.