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Free Woodworking Plans

Extension Dining Table

Stephen Scott, associate editor

26 users recommend

A two-piece top, connected by smooth-running slides, will open easily to accommodate a center leaf.

Tom Begnal

Miller builds his own heavy duty extension slides by wrapping commerical drawer slides in a pair of hardwood channels.

Tom Begnal

Once opened, a typical extension table has room for one or two leaves that fit betwen the opened havles of the top. Each leaf typically adds room for two diners.

A two-piece top, connected by smooth-running slides, will open easily to accommodate a center leaf.

Photo: Tom Begnal

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A space-saving table that can gracefully handle Corn Flakes for three or stir-fry for four will be overmatched when it comes to turkey and dressing for six - or eight. But a table broad enough for the holiday feast might be too big for every day. How to get the best of both worlds?

The time-honored solution is to make a small table bigger with an extension leaf or leaves.

In the version featured in this download, the top opens in the middle to accept a leaf that makes the table longer. The download includes an annotated drawing of a sample table, plus a full article from furniture maker Jeff Miller describing how to choose, assemble and install the slides that make the table expand.

CLICK HERE for the free article download

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Comments (6)

Fabuladico writes: Interesting article, but calling it a free plan is rather deceiving, I mean where's the plan? There is no plan that I could see.
Posted: 7:06 pm on January 22nd

treames writes: http://www.woodworkingplansforkids.net/free-workbench-plans.html
Posted: 12:05 am on January 2nd

treames writes: Wow this is simply amazing, detailed, and thorough. I have decided to build one with my two younger sons. I've seen many different designs and ideas but I have to honestly say that this may just be the best one I've came across yet. This is probably the coolest knock-down bench I've ever seen. Thank you so much for such an informative article. If you would like more information on free workbench plans click now to visit my website.
Posted: 12:04 am on January 2nd

Ron_Messersmith writes: Having trouble with table leaf alignment on a dining table with a 60 inch opening. The table fits together nicely when closed but has a serious offset when fully open. If I adjust the extensions to accomodate the open table, it does not fit when no leafs are in place. Any ideas as to what I can do?
Posted: 7:46 pm on October 7th

GerhardP writes: Hi,
Where can I buy this plan with all the measurements and material list?
Posted: 12:22 pm on August 12th

eddyjas writes: It is good blog which make me how to make better look to the broken furniture's. At leisure time i make use of this and feel happy.
Marri Furniture
Posted: 12:32 am on June 22nd

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