I am considering using granite (or a man-made clone) to make a leaf table for the main cabin on my boat. The existing plywood table has two leaves that fold over the central table to make the small size (1/2 as big) and are supported by sliding supports from under the central section when folded out. I want to replace this table top.
Can I use small hidden hinges, like barrel hinges, which the granite cutter can easily drill for, or must I go to larger mortised hidden hinges to get adequate strength. If barrel hinges will be strong enough, what ratio of thickness of the granite to diameter of the hinge will be adequate, and not stress the granite to the breaking point at the hinge sites?
I estimate the weight of the granite at 10 lb per square foot +-. the leaves will each be 14×26.
Replies
Cold
aaaahhh Keith . . . you probably noticed by now but ahhhh . . . this here ahhh . . . is a woodworking kinda thing here. I will respond though in small part because until I made our bubinga dining table top we were using a big honkin' piece of slate for a dining table.
Bad idea. Too cold. Sucks the heat out of the food and the people sitting there. Looks tre' chic though. We are so glad we now have a wood table top.
Lots of smart and versatile people here that can help with your granite. Well there used to be anyway.
Table Top of Granite
Granite seems a little heavy for a boat's dining table. I took a training cruise on the USS Catfish in 1961 from San Diego to Puget Sound. A WWII submarine. The wardroom table top was wood with a soft pad on top. When a meal was served they put on several white linen table cloths. A large NW storm hit us broad side, the seas were really rough and the sub was taking rolls up to 40 degrees. For meals, and coffee, they would wet the table with water and pushed the plates, cups and bowls down in linen indentations. We were able to keep all utensils, bowls, cups and plates on the table.
If you have a ship and call it a boat then granite may be an option. Ask the ship's "Jack of the Dust" for help.
Rex
Captain U.S. Navy (Retired)
Never thought about that.
Roc,
Interesting comment about the stone table top taking heat of the meal. Right now in winter with temperatures inside the house below 60 degrees and outside just above zero the idea of chilling the meal quickly seems a horrible idea. Sometimes it's just too hard to argue with someone who's fallen in love with the stone surface. There's always thick place mats.
I'm more puzzled about the idea of making stone leaves for an expandable boat table.
Peter
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