Sliding dovetail coffee table

[Joshjosh]

Hi a few days ago I was asking for info on gluing a sliding dovetail and had some feedback on this coffee table design, some felt the lack of stretches at the ends of the end of table looked odd, here's the final piece ( I like the design but each to their own)
I decided to use a screw in the middle to anchor the sliding dovetail rather than glue, cheers for the advice Josh

 

[Fitzroy]

Can we get a shot under the top showing how it all works together?

Cheers

Fitz.

 

[Joshjosh]

Yes I don't have a photo of underneath but this photo from the end shows. The sliding dovetail rails are double Dominoed into the aprons

 

[MikeG.]

Nice to see a piece of solid wood furniture on here. They're something of a rarity these days. But those cross-grain dovetails on the lower shelf ends have me a bit puzzled. What's the idea there?

 

[Joshjosh]

They were just a decorative way of joining the shelf to the rails

 

[MikeG.]

They're short grain, so will snap off. Dovetails are only for ends of boards to ends of boards.

 

[Joshjosh]

Yes that's completely slipped my mind you're right, although I can't see that much stress being put on that joint

 

[That would work]

There is a (very) small chance that they theoretically could break if the shelf were to move/cup but
I doubt that they actually would.

 

[Fitzroy]

I like the way the table looks light but also significant. I think it’s the floating top and the cut outs on the apron/stretcher.

I like the choice of boards used for the top and shelf, what is the finish?

I’d be concerned over the lack of support along the length of the top. People have a tendency to sit on coffee tables, I wonder how this design would cope.

Fitz.

 

[MikeG.]

There is a (very) small chance that they theoretically could break if the shelf were to move/cup but
I doubt that they actually would.

You know this is elm, don't you?

edit......no it's not. It's oak.

 

[That would work]

I do know it is elm. On balance though the chance is still small. Its not what I would choose to do though... time will tell I guess.

 

[MikeG.]

Sorry, my mistake. I must have been confused with someone else's project. I just looked this up and it's in fact oak.

 

[That would work]

oh mine too. I looked at it quickly and thought it looked elmy.

 

[Joshjosh]

Yes it's Oak, finish is fiddes hard wax oil wiped on and off with a pad

yes time will tell, obviously not ideal but I don't think it'll be an issue. (Will update if it is )