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Attaching large square table top

6/25/15       
Jason Member

I've designed and am building a solid wood table that has a 72" x 72" top. Sketch-up photo attached below. What is not shown is several cleats to keep the top flat. The client would like a 2.5" apron added around the top now for decorative purposes. The apron is no problem, but with a 6' wide walnut top that is 1.5" thick, I'm worried about wood movement. I usually use pocket holes to attach the apron to the top, but there is no way the ends won't open up if I do that on this top. At 1.5" thick, will buttons hold well enough to keep the apron tight to the top, as they will allow for movement well enough I believe? Any other ideas on commercially available table top buttons that would work better? Thanks in advance


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6/26/15       #2: Attaching large square table top ...
JM

I have a 6' square dining table that I built in my dining room. Its about 7 years old, top is 1.5" thick, and I have had zero issues with wood movement.

Table has 4 legs, with a 3" apron. Table top is attached to apron with the little gizmos in the attached link.

Table Top Connectors

6/27/15       #3: Attaching large square table top ...
Chris


David sochar should chime in here.
I think he has done a good bit of this type of furniture

6/27/15       #4: Attaching large square table top ...
Matt Calnen

I made my table out of three boards from the same 26" wide mahogany board. The grain runs side to side so the movement is along the 78" length of the top. I dry clamped the boards together, routed long dovetail slots, made a mating tail on the aprons, the carfully glued the top together on the rails with out getting glue on the aprons(i also waxed the dovetail slot to ease assembly). It worked better than expected and has held up for ten years now no problems


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6/27/15       #5: Attaching large square table top ...
Matt Calnen

I guess I forgot to mention that I used a plunge router to stop the sliding dovetail channel short of the ends. That way they are not visible. Thats why the top had to be glued up in conjunction with the aprons. I apologize for the dirtyness of my table, I have kids :)

7/4/15       #6: Attaching large square table top ...
karl  Member

Website: http://www.benchwerks.com

Here are a bunch of examples, which explain several options:

Table Top Fastening Examples

7/4/15       #7: Attaching large square table top ...
karl  Member

Website: http://www.benchwerks.com

I should mention that among the above options there are many which are lousy and dumb. But those should be pretty obvious.

7/14/15       #8: Attaching large square table top ...
B Member

I use these. Simply run a small dado on the inside of the apron and screw down to the underneath of the table top. http://www.rockler.com/table-top-fasteners

I have learned the hard way to never screw down solid tops across the grain. Sometimes they can be fine, sometimes not. Depends on where the table will be used. If it's in a cottage that's vacant for 6 months out of the year, with no climate control, look out!

9/17/15       #10: Attaching large square table top ...
Jim Clark  Member

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

I like these the best.
You can install them anywhere once
assembled and they let it move a little.


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