Support for table top

hooswoody | Posted in General Discussion on September 13, 2019 07:32am

I am “building” a simple trestle table. The base will be two metal trestles with a stretcher extending between them. The top will be 72″ X 42″ and will be quartersawn red oak, approximately 1″ thick. No breadboards or apron. Will this be fine with the assembled top attached to the trestles, which will mean that the outermost boards won’t be supported at all? Or should I add some other support under the tabletop that extends across all boards?

Thanks

Replies

_mj_ | Sep 13, 2019 08:09am | #1
Hi, tough to tell with incomplete info... how wide are the trestles and are they flat on top making full contact? How long is the stretcher? These will give us an idea of where the top is supported.
If the boards are truly quartersawn with no pith included the top should be pretty stable. Inch-thick oak is strong stuff, if the overhangs are reasonable you should be fine. Perhaps just a couple of battens underneath for peace of mind to hold it flat and allow for what seasonal movement there will be. Size the battens or taper them so you won't see them from across the room and your "look" will remain.
hooswoody | Sep 13, 2019 08:49am | #2
The trestles are 25" wide and have a complete/flat surface. I haven't determined the distance between the trestles yet, but they will be inset from the ends to allow comfortable leg room on the ends.

Thanks
Eideann | Sep 24, 2019 10:54am | #3
Are you talking about those metal trestles you can buy? Biggest concern with that here is allowing for movement across the top. I'm sure you can buy ones that accommodate for this but i've not seen them. I've never used them though either.

As far as the overhangs go, that oak will be plenty strong enough to easily get comfortable room for sitting. Which would be what, say 12-15" or so? That leaves you with ~4' stretcher in the middle. Should be plenty strong.

Your real concern is how your going to attach the top to those trestles to accommodate for movement.
JLangs | Sep 24, 2019 12:32pm | #4
I tend to agree with User53... that battens on the underside would be a wise security measure. As Eideann pointed out the issue is not on the 42" end as that will be sufficiently supported by the trestle. Your issue is along the 72"long glue line running the length that will be unsupported. Another option instead of a wooden batten would be a metal, u-shaped, batten that is let into the bottom of the top and bolted through elongated holes to allow for seasonal wood movement. Check out http://www.canadianwoodworks.com/, Canadian Woodworks or Legacy Lumber for additional info. He uses them on his live edge tables so he might sell you some or direct you to someone who does.