I’m designing a dining table with extensions, probably using Rockler 36″ slides that expand to a maximum opening of 64″. Am I right in assuming I will need a fifth leg in the middle of the table to deal with sag?
I imagine the fifth leg would attach to a cross piece mounted to the bottom of the slides. Has anyone seen an elegant solution for this, perhaps allowing the leg to fold up into the apron when not in use? Thanks.
Replies
Beem,
You will most likely want a fifth leg. I normally attach a crosspiece to the center segment in each slide (which stays at the center of the table as the slides are extended). It's a good idea to put a shim of veneer between the crosspiece and the slide, or put a washer between them at each screw or lagbolt where they attach, so the moving slide segments won't drag against the crosspiece. The crosspiece is mortised in its center (all the way thru) for attachment of the leg, which has a tusk tenon. This tenon itself is mortised thru for a wedge, which bears on the top side of the crosspiece, holding the leg firmly in place. I cut the end of the leg's tenon in a half round shape to ease insertion and removal, and tack the wedge to a leather strap or thong which is in turn tacked to the upper part of the leg, so they won't get separated when removed and stored.
Ray
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