Replies

1. 
   RickL | Feb 06, 2008 12:05am | #1

   http://www.rockler.com/search_results.cfm?filter=table+pins&submit.x=17&submit.y=12&cookietest=1

   Table pins is the standard way. They look like wooden bullets. You need to get a book on making tables. Did the Shakers use walnut?  All the Shaker stuff I've seen was more on the lighter woods.

1. 
   woodknow | Feb 06, 2008 01:01am | #2

   Thanks RickL. How do you address locking the leaf in place? For instance, to prevent someone from inadvertently pulling the leaf off the support. I have read through numerous book sections on table design and construction: Taunton's Dining Tables, and Practical Design Solutions. I haven't found any good articles on "company boards". Any other suggestions on books with this in mind?

1. 
   saschafer | Feb 06, 2008 01:04am | #4

   There is a variety of hardware designed for locking table leaves. Some examples:

   http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40031&cat=3,43586,43588&ap=1

   http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40032&cat=3,43586,43588&ap=1

   http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40033&cat=3,43586,43588&ap=1

   You can also get brass alignment pins:

   http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40145&cat=3,43586,43588&ap=1

   -Steve

    

2. 
   dgreen | Feb 06, 2008 01:01am | #3

   It sounds to me like his company boards will be outboard of the table top hence the supports that extend through the aprons. The table pins might not be practical in this application as they would leave holes or protuberances in the ends of the table.------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore

1. 
   woodknow | Feb 06, 2008 01:27am | #5

   That is correct. Sorry if that wasn't clear in the original post. The supports will extend from under the table, through the skirt to support leaves that will be added to the ends of the table. Hardware attached under the end of the table will be unsightly when the leaves are not in place. Would the solution be to used hardware to lock the leaves to the extending supports? Would one have a locking mechanism to lock the supports in the extended position, and then another to lock the leaves to the support?

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Feb 06, 2008 08:20am | #6

   A month-and-a-half ago, I completed a similar table.  The top is solid dogwood, 1-1/2" thick and 32" wide.  It has two leaves, each 24" long, which could be added to each end of the table.  To support the leaves, I constructed two supports which slide in and out.  The slide mechanism doesn't support any weight.  Instead, the supports are bolted into the bottom of the table with two knock-down bolts which thread into threaded inserts in the bottom of the table.  The leaves are fastened to the supports the same way.  There are a total of 4 bolts securing each leaf.  While this method does require more effort to use than most others, it is superior in strength.  The entire table (which probably weighs close to 250 lbs) can be lifted by the leaves.  It is ROCK SOLID.

   Chris @ flairwoodworks

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer