Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Apr 05, 2002 01:48am | #1

   There's another way to make a round table larger while still preserving its shape.   I once saw a 19th century piece that added the leaves around the outside of the table.  It had eight arms that pulled out radially to support the leaves.   It has two benefits compared to your approach.  First, there's fewer moving parts; in yours, all the leaves have to move.  Second, when the table is in the smaller configuration, there are no seams in the top;  that is, the table is sturdier, and looks less complicated.

   There might be one other benefit of the antique's design.  In your design, the leaves have to be long -- the radius of the larger configuration.   In the antique's design, the leaves can be as short as you want -- you just use more arms.   If the leaves are not long, it might be possible to stow them under the table top.

   The pullout arms were like the arms that were often used to support the desk surface in pieces where the desk folds up to close the cabinet.   On the antique, each arm was pulled out separately.   It might be cool to put a linkage under the table so that they all come out together.

1. 
   blutt | Apr 05, 2002 03:31pm | #2

   Thank you for the ideas. 

   I think you are right, it would be more stable and less complicated to build.  The antique approach also solves one problem I could not get around.  In my aproach the expanded table would have a segmented edge where the antique would maintain a continuous curve.

   Now all I have to do is find the time to actually make the table ?

2. 
   MichaelLomax | Apr 05, 2002 05:43pm | #3

   Here  is a link to Rick Christopherson's site, an individual that built a table identical to the one you first described.  The table sounds like a handful to build but the the most challenging is often the most rewarding.  I don't know if he built it from plans or made it up or if he would be willing to help you out but I found the article interesting even before your post.

   http://home.att.net/~waterfront-woods/

   Then look for the article describing the Large Round Table.

    

   Good luck!

   lomax

1. 
   blutt | Apr 05, 2002 08:29pm | #4

   Great site.  Thank you for the link.  That is what I was thinking I wanted to do but now I think I am going to go with the aproach Jamie mentioned.  Not so complex.

   I have to say that this is the first time I have posted a question and am very impressed with this forum.

   I will be around more and hopefully I can help someone else out at some point.