Replies

1. 
   Ricky_Yu | Feb 24, 2003 12:51pm | #1

   There is no usual set overhang, but it might be helpful if we knew what style base you want to use and how many people you intend to seat. For example, a trestle table might provide more leg room than a standard frame construction (four legs and aprons). However, from your post, it sounds like you are going with the legs and aprons construction.

   Try this exercise: draw your table top to scale on a sheet of paper. To figure out place settings, count on two feet of elbow space per seat and leave a little extra in the corners so the spaces don't overlap. Draw semi-circles with diameter of two feet to represent elbow room. The diameter of the semi-circles should line up with the edge of the table top. The semi-circles may touch but should not overlap. You can definitely get four semi-circles and may even squeeze in six. Any open space at the corners of your table top would be a good place for the legs.

2. 
   BG | Feb 24, 2003 02:27pm | #2

   Ktkamn,

   I struggled with this same question about a year ago.  At that time I was kinda surprised I did not find any hard and fast rules (the right look, stability, etc.)...there may be, but I did not find any.

   The style appears to dictate more than anything else the size of the base relative to its top size.  For instance, a double drop leaf harvest table would have a narrower base than a kitchen work table which tends to have a shorter overhang.  I ended up going out and looking at tables and doing some simple measurments and deciding from there.  good luck 

3. 
   NickC | Feb 24, 2003 08:51pm | #3

   For a standard apron/straight leg base, I try to space the legs in multiples of 24-inches (center-to-center), so long as I have at least 2-inches of overhang. So for your table, side spacing is 48-inches, end spacing is 24-inches. Accounting for apron thickness, this leaves a nice overhang of about 5-inches on the sides, but a little less than 2-inches at the ends. So I would tighten up a bit--maybe to 46-inches--for the side leg spacing.

1. 
   ktkamm | Feb 27, 2003 05:05am | #4

   Thanks to all who took the time to reply.  Hopefully I will get some time in the near future to put some of the suggestions to use.