Oak Dining Table

[Transit80]

This is my latest project, this little lot is hopefully going to turn into our new dining table.

Chris

 

[Transit80]

Progress on the dining table,
1, glued and sanded,with supports in place.
2, Legs and braces in place but not fixed,awaiting centre rail.
3, From the other end

 

[AJB Temple]

How did you join the boards?
Do the ledges beneath have pocket holes to allow movement?

 

[Transit80]

How did you join the boards?
Do the ledges beneath have pocket holes to allow movement?

Have joined the boards with one row of No20 (6 each joint) biscuits and glued.
The ledges will be glued,screwed and plugged.( probably with too many screws, but thats the way Ive always worked, I hope it never moves.

Chris

 

[stuartpaul]

Chris,

If you rigidly fix those ledges you will have problems later when the top moves (it will!).

It can be frustratingly entertaining to see a piece you've worked hard on slowly rip itself to pieces because of seasonal movement (DAMHIK!).

 

[Fitzroy]

The different grain orientation of the top to the ledges could see a differential movement of a number of mm over the seasons. In this design I'd expect you'll see the top either cup or bow, depending on if it wants to be narrower or wider than the ledge. I'd be elongating the screw holes in the ledge, and then omitting the glue. You then have a floating top you can remove if you ever want to move the table. If you really want to glue I'd keep it on the middle 20cm of the ledge only.

F.

 

[Transit80]

Thank you Fitzroy and StuartPaul for your observations and recomendations they have made me think a bit about this table. I think I will take your advice and not glue it but just use the screws and give it a few months or so and see what it looks like so at least I can remove the top without damage. I am reasonably new to furniture making having recently retired from 21 years in kitchen fitting(hence all the screws!) and have decided to make this table as I have now got the time, hopefully it wont dent my enthusiasm.

 

[Cabinetman]

Hi Transit, it’s quite a simple job to elongate those screw holes, and you would only need to do the outer eight probably on each ledge.

 

[Fitzroy]

I made a desk earlier in the year. It has a similar structure to your table. I think I overdid the elongation of the holes but it gives you the idea. Also I learnt no more hairpin legs, the ring every time the desk is knocked.

Fitz.

 

[Transit80]

The finished item, got it into the conservatory and put two coats of Osmo oil on it. The wife is chuffed to bits with it.