Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Feb 09, 2007 04:03pm | #1

   Hi Furniture,

   Did you get a response yet to this questions?

   In any case, here are some comments. The most common table construction uses aprons (what you called rails) to connect the four legs, and the tabletop then rests on top of that structure and is attached with some mechanism that allows the top to shrink and expand with seasonal changes. Aprons are important because they keep everything aligned.

   There are a few ways to designing around that standard construction technique. For example, a trestle and a pedestal table don't use aprons, but if you study those constructions you will see that the legs are still doing the job of keeping everything level and aligned.

   To make a four-legged table without aprons means you need to devise a way to keep the top level and the legs aligned. Relying on a solid wood top is not a good idea.

   Here are a few ideas: Make the table top a torsion box and veneer the top. Disguise the apron by making it integral with the tabletop (make the top look like a thick slab, when really the thickness comes from the apron). Build a frame structure below the tabletop and attach the legs to it.

   Check out the table section of our Gallery. There are a few example of each of these concepts.

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

1. 
   furniture | Feb 09, 2007 04:45pm | #2

   many thanks for your suggestions. indeed it's not the favourite way to make tables, but these kind of tables are quitte popular overhere. it took a while before the replies came out, but in the mean time I had some discussion with gary and john white, they weren't that enthousiastic too (as myself, but I'll always try to answer the requests as long as they are to be answered. I will take a look at the table page you've recommended. thanks again.