I have wanted for some time now to attach a table top to the legs by means of wedged tenons, but have pretty much considered it a structurally impossible pipe dream. The recent FWW (#179 pg. 82) reawakened my interest by showing just such an example by Sam Maloof. Certainly this master knows what he’s doing, yet I remain confused. Over time, would not either the top or the stretcher joints crack under the stresses of seasonal wood movement?
If any of my woodworking colleagues have tried this table top joinery technique, I’d appreciate a bit of shared wisdom. I’m aching to try it, but do not want to .. you know… fail miserably! Thanks for your help.
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cut,
In the table illustrated, the stretcher is of fairly small section, and down from the underside of the top. The movement of the top will spring the stretcher and move the feet together or apart. Also, the dowels (or plugged-over screws) attaching stretcher to legs will allow for some racking movement. The breadboard ends on the top, and the dovetail plugs joining the long grain drawer case and crossgrain top are more problematic, and allowance for movement must be made there, especially with a floor register for heating/cooling right underneath.
Regards,
Ray
Ray,
Thanks for the input. Never thought of the stretcher flexing like a bow, but I suppose it would indeed. Also, If it was placed lower on the leg I'd imagine even less stress on this stretcher and greater freedom of movement for the leg tops. The drawer casing is a bit of an issue that I hadn't considered, but it does seem like the bigger potential wood movement problem.
Got me thinking Ray, now my head is going to hurt. Appreciate it.
Mike
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