Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 12, 2009 10:17pm | #1

   "I don't want it to look clunky."

   I suppose 2x4 supports attached with 16d nails are out, then? ;-)

   I think the nature of the shelf really depends on the style of the table. On some styles, a thin shelf, perhaps with a scrolled edge, attached into mortices/dados at the corners may look nice. If you have stretcher bars across the front and back (or, all around), you could support the shelf on top of that, avoiding expansion issues. Or, you could make the shelf with dowels between the stretchers, the spacing depending on how you anticipate the shelf to be used. Books and magazines work well on dowels, trinkets, not so much so.

2. 
   DonStephan | Dec 14, 2009 01:32am | #2

   A discussion several weeks ago examined the exact same issue, except that table was sufficiently wide there was concern about expansion of the bottom shelf against the legs.  The common rule of thumb I see most often is to expect wood "on average" to move about 1/8" in width per foot of width over the course of a year, under "average" conditions.  If the shelf rests on some sort of cross rails and is narrower than the inside opening between the legs, there would seem to be little or no problem.

   One of the suggested solutions, if memory serves, was to notch the inside edges of the legs and shape the shelf to fit in those notches with some allowance for expansion and contraction.  Something like the panel of a frame and panel door.

   Seems like there were some other options I can't remember.  Hope someone else will chime in with suggestions or name of that discussion.

3. 
   AZMO | Dec 14, 2009 01:59am | #3

   I am building three end tables at the moment. 15" wide and 32" long, with 2.25" legs. I elected to use stretchers on the sides and ends. They are mortised into the legs. The shelf will fit on the strechers using a rabbit on the two side pieces. The ends are butt jointed. The shelf will glue to the front stretcher, but float against the back one. It will have a cleat to hold it place just like attaching a table top. This allows for expansion and such, but for the most part things don't move here in Phoenix, they shrink and stay that way...

   A prototype to see in cheap alder.... This shows the shelf going cross wise to the table, the actual peices are going to be parralel to the front strecher. The back panel is not shown here either.

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   Edited 12/13/2009 6:00 pm by AZMO

   
   

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   Edited 12/13/2009 6:03 pm by AZMO

   
4. 
   Dave45 | Dec 14, 2009 02:11am | #4

   Something like this, John?

   For these, I cut diagonal dados ~1/2" deep on the inside "corners" of the legs, then dry assembled the legs/apron and clamped it with a band clamp.

   Then, I took the measurements for the shelf, made it, then clipped the corners to fit the leg dados. During final assembly, I shot a couple of "blind" brads from the bottom to keep it all together. I did tow of them last year, and they're holding up just fine.

   I've done the same thing and used trim screws thru the legs and into the shelf. That's probably a bit stronger, but there are holes to hide.

   I've never done it, but some small dowels should work, too.