60" x 96" table top
1/31/16
Looking for advice on the following
60" x 96" x 1 1/2" thick walnut table top. It will be mounted to heavy 6" tube steel.
Boards will be edge glued running the 96" length. Considering angle iron routed into bottom width wise with elongated holes to allow for movement .
2/1/16 #3: 60" x 96" table top ...
How about a large dovetail routed into the bottom with only the center glued. Then glue on the two end boards to hide the dovetail. I would think we are only trying to keep the top flat from slight movements with all the different ideas we come with for this problem but if the top really wants to move nothing will stop it, it will just break or crack from the super strong supports.
2/2/16 #4: 60" x 96" table top ...
No need for the angle iron unless that is involved in the mounting of the steel tube. Have a good walnut supplier of properly kiln dried stock, and it will remain flat. Use quarter sawn for a little more stability. With that short leg of the angle iron let into the wood, it's not going to keep the wood flat anyway.
12/30/16 #5: 60" x 96" table top ...
Strongly disagree with Rich. A 60" table is a lot of surface area. No matter how good the finish, moisture absorption of the top and bottom faces will be different, leading to cupping. The simplest solution is to use 3" thick battens across the width with elongated screw holes into the top. This allows wood movement and holds the top flat.
This isn't theory, we build quite a few wide, solid wood tops of similar size