good day, again I put a question about a dining table. to suit the needs of a customer I’m asked to design a table in which the legs are to be seen on top, so the top of the massive oaktable doesn’t run over the legs at the four corners. to avoid any cracking due to seasonal changes I like to have some idead how to handle this. thanks in advance.
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Replies
A few questions:
Are the legs are going to attached to the top with through mortises?
Will the legs be permanently attached or will the top be designed to lift off of the legs?
Will there be any structure underneath the table like aprons or bracing attached to the legs or will it simply be a top and four legs?
Approximate dimensions and the location of the legs in the top would be useful.
John White
thanks for your reply. I'll try to add some answers: 1. through mortises? I'm not sure I do understand the meaning or purpose . 2. the top will not be permanently attached to the top 3. both options are still open, though I prefer a table with aprons for stability. but I feel there's a strong wish for a table without aprons, so I'm looking forward to both options.4 the legs will be about 4 x 4 and are situated at the far end of the corners. the dimensions of the table are about 88x42. hope this will do for you.
The legs are going to be in the corners with just a notch in the corner of the top, not a square hole several inches in from the edge, with the top of the leg in the hole and flush with the top of the table? The square hole is what I was calling a through mortise.
Without some form of aprons or bracing this would be a very weak design. Also having the legs at the corners and flush with the edge of the table will create a tripping hazard.
John White
john, you're right about the hazards, but still remains the request to build such a table. as said before I'm too in favour to add the aprons. but with aprons attached how can I avoid cracking of the solid top in between the legs, who are indeed flush with the top? could you give me an advice on that? and (I know it's more risky) also an advice on the construction with only four legs at the corners and flush with the top? thanks again for your time and hopefully rewarding ideas about the construction. I'm looking forward to any suggestion, or corresponding article on the FWW.com
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