Replies

1. 
   lat_axe | Apr 15, 2021 02:36am | #1

   Although I've only done two small items with drop leaves, and never one across end grain, I can imagine that there might be a difficulty with end grain rule joints, especially those relatively long ones of 36"....... .

   Elsewhere in the forum there's a discussion about putting together a planked table top. One feature oft-mentioned is that such a top will be subject to some degree of warpage across the grain if plain-sawn planks are used. Such planks will inevitably cup to some degree with mositure changes.

   Even if the cupping is small and only just discernible by the human eye, a rule joint across the grain of such a top (i.e. along it's end grain edges) will act as a very sensitive cup detector. The slightest warpage will likely cause the rule joint to bind.

   Well, that's my theory, for which I have no actual evidence. Others with more experience will no doubt chime in.

   Lataxe

2. 
   _mj_ | Apr 15, 2021 07:26am | #2

   If the stock was perfectly stable it should be fine. If there is any wonk at all a rule joint might be a bit ambitious for end grain. You could make the joint a bit loose, or make the drop leaves meet with just butt joints or an undercut miter. (photo)

   Your odds will go up if you make the top in one piece and cut the leaves free. In theory the top and leaves will move the same way over time. With all that said, I have only done long grain rule joints.

   
3. 
   colioharrison | Apr 15, 2021 09:56am | #3

   Thanks for the reply MJ and LatAx..I was thinking the same issues will arise. It wouldn’t look traditional but I also had the thought of having the boards run perpendicular to the tables length. Which would give me long grain for where the joint would be

4. 
   elmaduro | Apr 15, 2021 11:52am | #4

   Maybe design in breadboard ends on the table and leafs, then cut the rule joint on the long grain. Might not be the look you client desires, but worth considering.

5. 
   gulfstar | Apr 15, 2021 01:09pm | #5

   All the solid wood tables we built in the industry had the grain perpendicular to the table length, think center expansion panel, the wood has to be perpendicular.

6. 
   colioharrison | Apr 15, 2021 01:14pm | #6

   All good stuff. Thanks everyone! Helpful to get other views when usually the ideas are just bouncing around in one brain

7. 
   thebardowl | Apr 15, 2021 05:43pm | #7

   Many table tops are done with grain running perpendicular to length of table when leaves are part of the design. We have a cherry dining table with a simple rectangular top, grain across, with two center leaves, and of course the joints are long-grain. Since I'm visiting a friend as I write this, I looked at their table--same basic idea. I think this is more or less the "traditional" answer once leaves become involved.

   I would think that since the central part of the table is 36x36, and the drop leaves will, I presume, be down much of the time, there is no "long" direction of the table to consider with regard to grain in typical usage. The joints will be less noticeable when run long-grain, of course, too.

   All FWIW, of course.

8. 
   colioharrison | Apr 15, 2021 06:54pm | #8

   Great point plclark, regarding when the leaves are down that there won’t be any ‘long’ direction.