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Table legs

10/25/16       
Tim Knight  Member

I have started a desk for my son that I need advice on how to attach the legs to accomplish the look I am after and have it be a strong durable build. He asked it to be it a waterfall look.I am haveing a hard time feeling confident with any ideas I have come up with.I have attached pictures to help you understand the look I am after.


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10/25/16       #2: Table legs ...
Keith Newton

Big hand cut dovetails would be my first choice. It is both strong and looks great.

Well, I say hand-cut, but I cut them on the table saw, standing on end. It doesn't look like you have the ceiling height to do it that way, at least for the long parts.

10/25/16       #3: Table legs ...
rich c.

Miter with spline reinforcement. Hard to imagine you make a living in that shop! You must not sell a lot of large product.

10/25/16       #4: Table legs ...
fastool

I would use a lot of dominoes, using a Festool to cut the mortices - it is fast, accurate and very strong.

10/26/16       #5: Table legs ...
rich c.

Do you understand about seasonal wood movement? I blew up the picture, and it looks like you have glued one side of that desk, in a butt joint, into the other side. Right? If that is the case, it will self destruct very soon. You can never glue that much end grain to long grain. It's called cross grain construction and it will not work. That one side is going to move about 1/4" or more in width from one season to the next. That means cracking and splitting. I have to ask, did you read the forum guidelines? FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

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10/26/16       #6: Table legs ...
David R Sochar Member

Keith and rich have it right. Combine their info and you can have something worth making.

Desks fall into the category of things that are hard to move, therefore someone will scoot it one way, then go to the other end and scoot it the other way - along the floor, carpet, etc. A splined miter will not survive this type of leverage - maybe once or twice, but no more. I doubt that a lot of Dominoes will survive it. Same with dowels.

This is a classic large carcase construction detail that was satisfactorily solved centuries ago with dovetails. Look up large case construction details from the 1700's in your library.

Dovetail is also a very attractive detail that shows the craft of the maker, and will add value to the piece so that it is less likely to get scooted across the floor.

As for the big butt joint - that is another story.

10/26/16       #7: Table legs ...
Glen

Is that for real? I just blew up the photo and I advise you to at least read up on how to join wood and how to make boards straight. Maybe a class at a local community college to help you get started. What you are doing there will never work. Maybe do a privacy skirt on the front to make the case rigid. Good luck.

3/22/21       #8: Table legs ...
Kevin K Member

These are a bit pricey, but you could buy stainless steel table legs or base for the back leg; see the link I posted. An individual leg can hold up to 300 pounds. If you really wanted to go all out you could buy the motorized height adjustable legs...I think the same place also sells those.

Stainless Steel Table Legs


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