expanding from the ends dining room table
woodworker52
| Posted in Project Plans/CAD Software on
I want to buy an awesome slab of wood and make a dining room table out of it. My plan is to make a 10’ table with leaves on both ends that add 6 or 8 feet (not sure yet) with half on each end. I am looking for a way to support the leaves and so that I can have a (13’ or 14’) or a (16’ or 18’ table when all is said and done. I want to add on to the ends because I want to cut the wood that the grain runs the long way and it will look good with none, one or two leaves attached. I am looking for the best extension and support method ideas you may have done or seen.
Replies
Hi Dave,
There is an old form of extension table, usually called a "draw table" which would allow you to extend the leaves in the manner you describe. It is a form which has been around since, at least, the early 17th century.
I'm attaching an image illustrating one example of this type of table, but a little bit of explanation is in order. As can be determined from the illustrations, there are, in effect, two layers to the top of the table. The narrow middle section of the lower layer is affixed to the undercarriage of the table, while the upper layer is loosely attached to the narrow middle section of the lower layer in a manner which allows the upper layer to lift up while extending and retracting the leaves. There are other means of loosely affixing the upper layer to the lower one, but the one illustrated is probably as good as any.
I haven't worked out the geometry of the bearers, or lopers, to which the leaves are affixed and which allow them to move in and out, but think it would be fairly straight-forward to work out with a full-sized drawing. Needless to say, the depth of the notches through which they slide is also critical. My interpretation is that the angled surface of the lopers, upon which the leaves are affixed, are extended for a short distance to allow the upper layer (main table top) to rest on them when the leaves are extended. This would help insure everything being at one level when the table is extended.
Various late 19th and early 20th century sources claim this form is still as efficient and economical form of extension table as any later devised, but they also put forth some caveats which probably need to be considered. Specifically, neither the main upper layer nor the leaves are permanently affixed to any stabilizing frame, which would allow them to move without restraint. For this reason, several of these same sources indicate that it would be best if these elements were framed-up and veneered or, at least, provided with mitered clamps (breadboards). Needless to say, either of these approaches would defeat your stated goal, so would probably be ruled out. But I wanted to bring these considerations up because it would probably be best to consider them in whatever design you decide to pursue.
Hope this helps a little,
Don McConnell
Eureka Springs, AR
Incidentally, the image is from John Hooper's _Modern Cabinetwork_, © 1952.
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