Replies

1. 
   rob_ss | Oct 15, 2023 01:43am | #1

   For a table, the general approach is to orient the boards lengthways. This should not be an issue for your slides.

2. 
   john_c2 | Oct 15, 2023 04:44am | #2

   Drop leaf? Or middle, since you mentioned slides?

3. 
   gulfstar | Oct 15, 2023 07:31am | #3

   Assuming the table is split in the middle, the two halves are 40 X 42 and the grain can run in either direction , on such design you are right by saying most tables have the grain running perpendicular to the length and this has to do with the extension panel more than the slides. With the grain running lengthwise, the panel would be made of 18 inches long planks glued to 42 inches width making it prone to cupping. It would require substantial cross braces to stay straight but slides will get in the way.

1. 
   john_c2 | Oct 15, 2023 09:05am | #4

   The other issue is matching the grain. With the boards in the table and leaf going from side to side, you merely need to match boards side-by-side, as you would when gluing up any panel. Running boards with the grain running the length of the table, they'll meet end-grain to end-grain in the middle. Getting a pleasant match that way is much tougher, even more so if the boards are different widths. Add in a leaf, you're making the job exponentially harder.

   It would be very aesthetically displeasing to me.

   I see no reason to reinvent the wheel. I'd just run the boards side to side.

1. 
   schlgarr | Oct 15, 2023 06:14pm | #8

   If I glue up 4-10 X 84” boards, cut in half for the leaf, the boards will match when in the closed position. The leaf will be used just a few times a year. I’m not really concerned about a great match for the leaf. I am really concerned about wood movement binding the slides.

4. 
   doofermann | Oct 15, 2023 09:50am | #5

   I have done plenty of these tables in the orientation you are talking about, (for the custom furniture company I work for), and I personally have never liked them. Like you mentioned, the biggest factor is the wood movement. The leaf and the table (if gain is run length wise), will be contradictory to each other. At my job, we do dominoes in the middle of the table, and in each end of the leaf for the lining up purpose, and I will do the slightly larger domiono hole on one end, while the actual domino itself is on the other, the halves of the table can be lined up easier that way.
   We have never had an issue with the slides binding at all so I don't think you have to worry about that. My job uses the wooden gear slides from rockler which are very good.
   I personally don't like the look of the leaf grain going one way while the table goes another, it just looks odd to me. Unfortunately that's the way my boss does it and he doesn't want to change it (even though we had to to repair multiple leaves for customers where the table shrunk more than the leaf and we had to cut the leaf down for it to be even with the table). I'll include a picture of one I built a while ago so you can see for yourself what it looks like with the grain length wise.

   
5. 
   _mj_ | Oct 15, 2023 10:09am | #6

   Nothing wrong with veneering something stable for that leaf.

1. 
   gulfstar | Oct 15, 2023 04:47pm | #7

   Right, could be a Baltic birch panel with a 1/8 veneer from the same wood as the rest of the table and solid edges.