Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Mar 29, 2010 11:00am | #1

   Sounds like an adventure in the making. ;-)

   I think you'll want to closely examine the construction of the table to determine whether it will lend itself to disassembly, and to what extent. Look at how the top is attached to the legs, how the legs and aprons are designed, and what would be involved in either disassembling them or creating jigs to cut sections out of the middle.. Then, find or create plans for the sectional table, and sources for the extension rails or what would be involved in making them yourself. Think about the design of the extension leaf, and whether you'll need new material for that which will need to be matched or contrasted to the end sections of the top. The cross-grained section that will come from the middle of the existing top may not be stable across the width of the table unless it can be reinforced in a way that won't interfere with the extension rails.

   Then, there's that moment of truth when you actually cut that lovely, flat 40" x 96" top. Doing so may release stresses in the wood that have happily remained hidden all those years. Sproing! Or, maybe not.

2. 
   JohnWW | Mar 29, 2010 12:10pm | #2

   A nice source of dimensioned lumber.

   The table top and base should probably be be viewed as a nice source of dimensioned lumber.  Except for the legs, the remaining parts will probably all have to be cut and finished just as though you were starting from raw wood.  The time and skills required would be the same as starting from scratch, in fact it will probably be more challenging.

   One thing to look at closely is the top itself, is it solid wood, which is ideal, or is it veneered, which will be much more challenging to work with and will limit your design options.

   There are a dozen ways to make a table with extensions, some designs will be better adapted to using the table you have already, but you would have to post more information, or even better, some pictures, of the existing table to get more specific advice.

1. 
   mackie346 | Mar 29, 2010 07:21pm | #3

   Hello Ralph and John

   Good thoughts  I will take photos tomorrow and post same.  The table is solid wood and the legs are removeable via brackets.  Can't wait to hear your thoughts after I post photos.

   Thanks, Alan

3. 
   mackie346 | Mar 31, 2010 07:39pm | #4

   More photos of under side

   
1. 
   RalphBarker | Apr 01, 2010 12:19pm | #5

   The pics

   From the photos, I think John's observation that the existing table should be considered as a source of dimensioned lumber is probably correct. I think you'll need to build an entirely new base/leg assembly with the extensions. How much of the existing table, other than the top can be reclaimed, as it were, is somewhat questionable.

   Also, the surface of the top looks very much like veneer to me, and it appears there may be edging strips. But, the photos aren't sharp enough to tell for certain. Check for edge grain and end grain to be sure. The top might easily be a very tall solid-core door from an office building. If so, you might be better off leaving it as-is, other than perhaps adding a couple of center legs, and use it on the patio. Or, a very long assembly table in the shop, if you have space.

4. 
   JohnWW | Apr 01, 2010 01:33pm | #6

   It looks like veneer

   I too think that the top is veneered, the grain pattern keeps repeating across the top and the top is too thin to be stable unless it was plywood or block cored.  Also there seems to be no allowance for the top to expand and contract which would be a necessity if the top was solid wood.  Depending on how thick the veneer is it may be fragile and easily damaged when cutting and refinishing.  If you wanted the added leaf to match the appearance of the existing top that would be very diificult to achieve.

   I really don't think you have a practical project here, the legs and apron assembly would have to be completely reworked, they are on the small side already for the size of the table, with additional wood parts and whatever hardware was chosen for the expansion mechanism.  I'm not saying it can't be done but it would be easier to build a new table from scratch.

   A quick look at the photos suggests to me that the table is either some form of teak or light mahogany that was commonly used for simple "Danish Modern" style mass produced furniture.