Hi
I’m designing a stand-up desk for the bedroom. It’s going to be small, and in fact I don’t want it there at all so I want to make it as out of the way as possible.
I’m thinking of something like the attached sketch, with the things in the middle swinging out to support a drop-leaf desktop. Just big enough to hold a laptop and some papers.
One thing I always hated about drop-leaf tables is how they look when the leaf is down. To me it looks very ugly when the leaf is down, specifically because of that space created when the top and the leaf separate.
Is there some technique I can use to not have it like that? Something like a euro hinge that would lift the leaf up and out at the same time? I’ve never seen such a hinge used horisontally, but maybe it would work? Or something else?
After a quick search I found the photo attached, where it looks quite good, except they didnt’t finish the edge for some reason. I’ve no idea how those leafs are attached.
Thanks in advance.
Replies
It's a rule joint, and the hinges are unequal leaf lengths. Selby Furniture Hardware item # H278L.
They also make the hardware that changes small square tables into larger round tables which could eliminate your swing out supports... item # H899P
You might end up with something sort of like this.
FWIW, it's not that the rule joint on the table was left unfinished. It's an old table and the finish appears to have worn off. Most likely due to incorrect hinge installation. If the hinges are installed correctly the joint doesn't rub and the leaf only touches the edge of the top when it is fully raised.
Thanks!
Now I've got to figure out whether I have the skills to make this :)
Hardware is scary to me. I just finished installing 5 ball latches on my router table doors, and they look good but I still feel that was more luck than anything else :)
Woodcraft offers some useful information about creating a rule joint and adding the hinges. see: https://www.woodcraft.com/blog_entries/master-the-classic-rule-joint
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