I need to join a seven sided (open back) pedestal in which the front is 18″ wide with 3 boards on each side of approximately 8″ each. My question is what would be the best way to securely fasten to top and bottom to allow for wood movement? My thoughts were to place one screw in the middle of the front on the top and bottom and use two threaded rods running from the top to the bottom. I live in Central Fla, and the piece will be staying here. Checking the charts the average humidity stays fairly consistant so movement isn’t too drastic. The piece is an altar and the top will overhang the weighted base so the connection must be very secure.
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Replies
bob,
perhaps you could attach cleats to the inside top and bottom edges of the pedestal and then screw through elongated pilot holes into the altar top and bottom.
eef
Sorry for the late response, Bob. I just found your post.
Like Eef, I'd probably use table-top-style cleats for the basic attachment. If the piece will be subject to lateral stress, however, your idea of using threaded rod (attached to the top with threaded inserts?), perhaps in an X arrangement inside the pedestal, might counter some of those stresses.
I'm no expert by any means, however, so take a teaspoon of sawdust with my ideas. ;-)
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