Gary I’am building a dresser with a top that is 54″ wide and 20 ” deep( front to back). The four legs wil protrude through the top which is 7/8″ red oak. The rear legs are 2″ sq.and the front are 1×4. My question is how much clearance would you leave around the legs for expansion?contraction?
Thanks Chris
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Chris,
You did not specify if the legs were going to be fixed to the top in any way. If the top is floating on top of your drawer carcase rails then I would think that leaving about 1/4" total around each leg would suffice. A 12" flatsawn board of red oak moving from 12% to 4% MC can move as
much as .295" per year. Let’s say your moisture content swing will be less. It’s still a lot of movement to contend with. I think this is a design idea fraught with potential problems. I wouldn’t run my legs through at all, but that's just my 2 cents.
Now if you plan on connecting your top to your legs then forget it altogether. Your red oak, through seasonal contraction and expansion, will pull this piece apart.
Good luck, Gary
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