Hello John,

I have been asked to bid a Trestle type solid linear Q.S. White Oak table @ 4′ x 9′ with a roughly 2 to 3″  running length wise thick plank top, possibly with bread board ends.

The design issue I am confronted with is that they want it expandable and yet to keep it looking right in my mind I can’t see it with a split in the middle.  So the real question is, is there a reasonable way to add leaves to the ends of the table as opposed to the middle, (storing leaves seperately), without ruining the aesthetics of this classic design and yet making it functional, reliable and sag resistant.  I was not planning on running an apron as it doesn’t necessarily go with this heavy rustic stlyle.

Seperate legs on the end leaves would not jive with the design.  

 I realize that the leaves would be really heavy if made in suit with table top.  Perhaps I could make them hollow box style, (bottomless) and with legs and be done with it, but I am not giving up that is why I am asking you.

The only other thought I have is to have pegs in the leaves that sink into mortises in the main top, but there will be deffinitely be sag and difficult to mortise deep enough in solid wood.

My last idea is to have hidden support runners that extend from under the main table and somehow lock in to the leaves, with hardware or dovetail key etc…

Any ideas?  Have you ever seen this type of expansion table?

The Trestle table in the photo is odd because of the diagonal braces that aren’t necessary but could be more so if they were reversed.  This is just an example photo.

Thank you