Replies

1. 
   ASK | May 23, 2007 01:07am | #1

   Willy,

   Interesting idea but, how about the cantilever of the table beyond the base (legs) when the leaves are in.

   ASK

2. 
   Patto | May 23, 2007 06:39am | #2

   HI,

   I have seen sketches and designgs for this. From recollection, there were additional rails under the top that extend the full length, but are only attached to one side. Two on each side in pairs. When the top is extended, these rails sit underneath the other end to provide the cantilever; then just drop on the extension piece.

   The only trick seems to be that they need to run through the apron rails at the ends of the table, which limits thier depth. Pretty sure this has been a FWW article at some stage but not sure when.

   Dave

3. 
   user-219081 | May 23, 2007 07:19am | #3

   I have recently built a new 4 leg dining room table for my home.  It is 44" X 66" and seats 6 comfortable.  I can add an 18" extension on each end which gives us a table 44" X 102" and seats 10 comfortable.  The vast majority of the time we use the table without the extensions and we didn't want to deal with the crack in the middle where the extensions would normally go so I added them at the ends.  No crack in the middle.  I support each extension on two 1" heavy squares steel  tubes that pull from under the table.  The extensions are very stout.   Would be glad to send you pictures if you want.   Dick

1. 
   willy | May 23, 2007 02:57pm | #4

   I would appreciate you posting a picture. t.y.

4. 
   kenshep | May 23, 2007 08:37pm | #5

   Try searching on drop leaf table plans.  I had a pub table that used this (ASK's) approach.  A small footprint, for the eat-in, but it would double in size and hold 8 without much trouble.

    

   
   

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   Edited 5/23/2007 2:31 pm ET by kenshep

5. 
   Bruce8287 | May 23, 2007 08:40pm | #6

   Rockler sells extension slides that will do exactly what you want;  here's the link:

   http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=765&filter=table%20extension

   I have a dining table I made 30 years ago, using slides I fabricated myself, and it works great.  The slides fit within the apron when the table is closed (no leaves inserted), and the top is not cantilevered when the table is open (leaves inserted), because the four legs move out when you open the table to insert the leaves.

   I don't have plans to make the table with these slides, but Rockler might, and it's pretty intuitive.  You just screw one side of the slide (say, the right) to one side of the top and the other (left) side of the slide to the other side of the top.  The slides allow the table to open, because the middle member of the slide, which is not attached to the top, allows the right and left side of the extension to move.

   Good luck!