Removable Legs on Parson’s Table
johnprose
| Posted in Jigs, Fixtures, Tips & Tricks on
I’m not satisfied with any answer I’ve come up with for this table construction problem.
A customer wants a simple parson’s table with the legs placed at the corners and only a 2 1/2″ apron. The trick is that they live in a high-rise apartment and move often enough that they need the legs to be removable.
With such a small apron, I can’t see a good solution that will keep the table from developing the wobbles over time. So far, my best idea has been to have the legs bolted to the apron and a triangle brace that only extends down about 8″ on the legs and angled in towards the center of the table so as to be minimally visible. (That brace is not shown in this sketch.)
You guys have any epiphanies?
Replies
leg brace
What I've seen on "knock-down" tables is a metal corner brace with a lag/machine bolt inserted into the corner of the leg:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2001069/10357/Corner-Brace-Table-Leg--1.aspx
The nut has to be re-tightened from time to time, but is otherwise fairly functional.
Yep, I've used those corner braces, they work well and that is part of my original thoughts. I think adding the 8" angle brace towards the center of the table will add some more strength.
usage and design
A lot depends on how the table is going to be used. If it will be in a static location, additional bracing might not be needed. If, however, it will be moved around a lot, additional bracing of the legs might be a good idea.
I'm not getting a mental picture of the additional brace you are thinking of. My thought would be to add an X-shaped stretcher assembly, also "knock-down", about 6" up from the floor. Threaded inserts into the corners of the legs would provide an attachment point for the stretchers. Then, it's a question of how to attach the stretchers. Small corbels at the end of the stretcher might be one approach, allowing the machine screws to be hidden. The end of the stretchers and the corbel would need to be notched to fit the corner of the legs, of course.
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