I am building a dining table for a client. It will be 52″L x 31″W and will have two 16″ leaves which will bring the length to 84″. Now she is asking if I can add another leaf. I’m wondering how long a span can be supported with just the four legs without a center support. Any thoughts?
Jim
Replies
Questions
Jim,
These are center leaves installed after the two ends are pulled outward? What type of mechanism are you going to use to allow the table to open up? Opening up 32" is already quite a span, you might consider a single center leg to support the mid section.
Jim,
Time to add a center leg. I like to attach a crosspiece to the center slide in each extension slide. That way, it stays in the center of the span as the table is extended. I attach the center leg to the crosspiece thru a mortise in the center of the crosspiece. A tenon on the end of the leg extends thru the crosspiece, and the leg is held in place with a wedge thru the tusk tenon. I keep the wedge with the leg by means of a leather lanyard, tacked to the leg and the end of the wedge.
Ray
Thanks for the quick replies, Ray and John. The leaves will go in the middle. I was planning to use a commercial wooden table extension slide mechanism to span the 32", but am considering using a steel one for the larger span. Would you use a leg for one of the leaves if the client decides to stay with two leaves?
Jim
Jim,
Consider whether you'll be comfortable with someone propping their butt on the table top in the middle of the span, without a canter leg.
Ray
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