Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Jul 31, 2003 06:00pm | #1

   bmit,

   The glass that you use for the table top should be 3/8 inch thick, or thicker, to make it fairly resistant to breaking.  The glass will be heavy enough that it can just be dropped into a shallow rabbet in the top face of the table's frame.  Since they'll be visible, the edges of the glass will need to have a slight bevel to clean them up, a glass shop can handle this easily.  You can have a more pronounced bevel put on the glass as a design element if you like the look. 

   The depth of the rabbet should put the glass either level or just slightly proud of the wooden edge of the table.  Allow whatever finish you use to fully dry before you drop in the glass, you don't want to wind up gluing it in accidentally.  You could also place felt or clear plastic pads in the rabbet to make sure the glass doesn't stick.

   Your question suggests that you are planning to set the glass into a picture frame type of set up where the glass is surrounded by a raised wooden border, and while this can be done, I wouldn't recommend doing so for a couple of reasons:

   1.  The glass will, in time, get scratched, broken or at least dirty on the underside, being able to simply lift the glass out of the table makes it much easier to replace or clean.  Clear glass tables look terrible if they aren't kept sparkling clean, which ties into my next two points.

   2.  If a drink is spilled on the table, it will seep in under the glass and be visible where it is trapped in the groove, if you can't lift out the glass to clean it, you'll be stuck looking at the grunge.

   3.  A raised edge around the glass makes it more difficult to keep the top surface clean and will occasionally result in a spilled drink if someone puts down their drink half on the raised edge and half on the glass panel.

   4.  It is almost impossible to finish the table with the glass installed, no matter what design you settle on, it should allow you to install the glass after all the finishing is completed.

   Hope this helps,

   John W.

    

1. 
   Byron | Jul 31, 2003 06:33pm | #2

   John W. 

   Thank you for the very helpful  response.  I will keep all that in mind. I was just running different ways through my head and figured I would run it by more knowledgeable people like you.  A friend of mine wants to use etched glass with an outdoor motif. 

   BTW, do you know of any good plans for a coffee table? Thanks again

   Byron    

1. 
   JohnWW | Jul 31, 2003 07:17pm | #3

   You're welcome.  I can't steer you to plans, I don't keep a file on them.  One other possibility for a glass top table; use a very thick piece of glass (3/4 inch?) and support it on a central pedestal with no wood frame around the glass.

   John W.