Replies

1. 
   DonStephan | May 12, 2011 09:05pm | #1

   If I read your pictures correctly, the ends are each several upright boards glued together = all have the grain running vertically.  These ends will expand and contract across their width seasonally.  The top is also several boards glued together, all with their grain running horizontally.  The top will expand and contract in the same direction as the ends.  I don't see any seasonal stress being placed on the butt joints between the ends and the top.  Am I misreading the pictures?

1. 
   mitzrecords | May 12, 2011 09:37pm | #2

   top is ply with veneer and i was worried about maybe little shrinkage or expansion from legs that comes apart form the table top and joints come off but more i think about it, there might creat a really small gap and doesnt really destroy the legs and wont come apart,,,,im hoping,

   i think it might be ok maybe? im praying haha

   thanx for reply!

1. 
   DonStephan | May 13, 2011 08:28pm | #5

   Now I understand the joinery.  You can calculate the amount of seasonal expansion and contraction of the ends using Shrinkulator (search on Google) or other sources.  If the only glue was used on the biscuits then you have created narrow unrestrained areas of expansion and contraction between the biscuits and because of the narrow widths the potential for movement damage is very limited.

1. 
   SteveSchoene | May 15, 2011 06:54pm | #6

   I'm not understanding the argument.  The sides are something like 22" wide in the area serving as the apron.  Assuming the wood is mostly flatsawn this would mean the sides could change in width over 3/8".  The only thing that counts is the total distance between the two outside biscuits--it doesn't matter whether there are other biscuits or whether there is glue on any thing except biscuits.  Something would have to give if you get a full fledged seasonal moisture change, either the glue on the biscuits or the sides. 

   There is an easy solution:  (Well sort of easy).  Remove the plywood top and replace it with a solid wood top.  The way your sides run the seasonal movement would be very similar between top and sides and you wouldn't have problems from seasonal moisture changes. 

2. 
   JiminFla | May 13, 2011 11:12am | #3

   I think that the connection between the top and the legs may loosen over time, but it doesn't always occur.  When the legs expand and contract, the movement will compress one side of the biscuit during expansion and the other side during contraction.  Sometimes with a small tabletop such as yours this only affects the edges of the biscuits and does not weaken the joint to the point of failure.  The conventional way to attach the top and allow for movenemt is to make some cabinetmaker's buttons which fit into a slot along the inside of the leg and screw into the top.  The buttons slide along the slot during expansion and contraction, but keep the top firmly attached to the legs.  It's probably too late to try to do this for your table, but you might give it a try for the next one.  Hope this helps.

   Jim

1. 
   mitzrecords | May 13, 2011 12:59pm | #4

   thanx!!!