Replies

1. 
   oldusty | Jul 21, 2008 07:29pm | #1

      Could you make some kind of a ship lap joint or other ?

             dusty

2. 
   alanplanesaw | Jul 21, 2008 08:36pm | #2

   Maybe I am misinterpreting your question, but could you anchor the breadboard on the end of the center joint, therefore allowing any expansion to show at the outside corners?

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   MARQUETRY | Jul 21, 2008 08:54pm | #3

   Alan,

   They want the top to run the length of the table, with a 3" board on each end and one one each along the length of the top. In the center, where it will open and slide apart, they want the boards butting end to end without any boarder.

   Dean - marquetry

    

3. 
   mufti | Jul 21, 2008 09:01pm | #4

               Perhaps I have misunderstood you, but I would be far more worried about tying the width of the sliding halves to drawer slides with any chance there of expansion and contraction. If this must be done then I would go the laminboard and veneer route to eliminate movement.

1. 
   MARQUETRY | Jul 22, 2008 02:06am | #5

   Mufti,

   I think you hit it right on the head!

   They wanted it out of Oak, and it never crossed my mind to use MDF of Baltic Birch and cover with Veneer.  I think I'll go with Baltic Birch as the screws for the drawer slides will hold better than using MDF as a substrate.

    

   Thank you,  I knew if I stated the problem one of you experts would come up with a great solution.

   Marquetry

    

4. 
   BrianDerr | Jul 22, 2008 08:01am | #6

   Becauase of the drawer slides (I've NO idea how they are installed in this situation) and catch in the middle, won't all wood movement be directed to the outsides of the top? Of course each half still has the issue of the breadboard, but how wide is half of a coffee table? Mabye a fender joint on outside edges where top meets breadboard and only inside tenons glued? I just don't see how the center joint is "the" issue; is it?

   Brian

5. 
   flairwoodworks | Jul 23, 2008 04:49am | #7

   Dean,

   I would attach a batten to the underside.  If it will interfere with the sliding peration, rout a recess in the underside of the tabletop to allow the batten to sit flush with the surface (bottom).

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer