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Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top

1/25/17       
Michael Rodriguez Member

Here is my idea. I want to attach this 1-1/8 piece of poplar to the walnut table top (1-½ inch). I was planning on using pocket-hole screws and Titebond III. This is a pedestal table by the way. There is a picture of the top with mock-up pine legs/feet. The final will be poplar.

Will the pocket-hole and glue be sufficient for a minimum life of a 100 years plus?

Thank you in advance.


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1/25/17       #2: Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top ...
Pete D

Are the narrow strips in between the solid border veneer or solid wood?

1/25/17       #3: Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top ...
Michael Rodriguez Member

It's all solid.

1/25/17       #4: Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top ...
rich c.

No need to worry about the apron lasting 100 years. All that solid wood inside the border is going to blow something apart when it expands this summer. Maybe not blow it apart, but something is sure going to give!

1/25/17       #5: Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top ...
Pete D

When you wrap a solid wood top with a border you don't allow it to expand and contract with the seasonal shifts in relative humidity. When the wood expands it has nowhere to go and will blow out the joints on the border. To get an idea of how much wood moves you can use the "shrinkulator" on this site. Same applies to attaching the apron...you need to allow for seasonal movement.

Spend some time searching the forum archives, there's lots of information and anecdotes about wood movement.

1/25/17       #6: Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top ...
Pete D

Don't get discouraged, consider it a valuable lesson. I also learned the hard way...built a solid top years ago with different woods radiating out from the center. Was pretty proud of the design and effort I put into that table. Slowly noticed small issues with movement cracks after a few weeks...by the end of the year I had gaps over 1/4" wide all over and the top had warped ~3/4" across 36".

1/26/17       #7: Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top ...
Jim Clark  Member

Website: http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f386/jcquack/Fur...

Here's a good way to connect a solid
top to a apron, allowing it to move.
These "tabletop fasteners" work great.


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1/26/17       #8: Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top ...
rich c.

Jim,
He doesn't have any problems with expansion between the apron and frame around the table. He has problems with the field and frame. Also a minor problem with the width of those frames. The end frame pieces will expand slightly in the summer and no longer be flush with the side frame members.

1/27/17       #9: Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top ...
duster

Pocket holes will work fine to attach your apron to the top. However, as the others have stated, the construction of your top is going to be an issue. I would seriously doubt it's going to hold up for your 100 year timeline. One years worth of seasonal wood movement will almost certainly show the flaws that building like that with solid wood will incur. A veneered panel in the center is definetly the way to go.

1/28/17       #10: Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top ...
D Brown

To answer your question regarding apron to table fastening, traditionally wood screw blocks or angled corner blocks were used glued and screwed or even pinned , along with pocket holes placed carefully will make a sturdy unit.

As far as your top one thing you could do to save it would be to slice the ends off and replace with a bread board ends, all will be well . Beautiful table .

1/28/17       #11: Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top ...
Pete D

Whatever method you use to attach the apron you still need to allow for movement if it's a solid top. This can be achieved in a few ways whether it's slotting the mounting brackets or apron, enlarging the hole of the screw shank or other methods.

I wouldn't recommend salvaging that table. The rail in the middle running perpendicular to the boards in the field will still restrict movement. If the boards in the field ran full length a breadboard end would be a great solution. Search 'Greene and Greene breadboard end' to get some ideas on how to build and address the aesthetics of the movement associated breadboard end construction.

1/29/17       #12: Attaching Rail/Apron to Table Top ...
Jim Clark  Member

Website: http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f386/jcquack/Fur...

Rich C
You're absolutely right.
I agree with everyone and was just showing
a way to anchor the top.
I should have stated this will no way
solve his problem. But when he rebuilds
these clips are a nice way to anchor.
Which is what I thought was his original question.


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