Q:

I’ve been asked to make a 9-ft.-long harvest table that can be disassembled for easy moving. What is the best way to join the aprons to the legs so that the joints are both strong and easily knocked down?

Steve Morris, Riverhead, NY

A:

Join the short aprons to the legs with standard mortise-and-tenon joinery. Then make a stub tenon on the apron and a matching mortise on the leg to align the apron and leg, and prevent twisting. Secure the joint with a bed bolt and reinforce it with a corner block, driving two screws into each apron and one into the leg.

Bed bolts are not appropriate for a refined period piece, but they look fine on a rustic harvest table, especially if you drill a counterbore in the leg to hide the bolt head. One last note: To accommodate the nut, the apron will need to be at least 1-1/4 in. thick.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Bessey K-Body Parallel-Jaw Clamp

The 3 3/4" deep parallel jaws allow for all types of clamping, from thin panels to joinery.

Buy at Amazon

DeWalt 735X Planer

At high speed, the planer works fast and leaves a smooth surface. But the slower, finish speed produces an almost glass-smooth surface. Knife changes are easy.

Buy at Amazon

Dubuque Clamp Works Bar Clamps - 4 pack

These clamps are as premium as their price is, but they're worth every penny. A few staffers have a small collection and they're almost always the first clamp they reach for.

Buy at Amazon