Trestle style table question

Wmacdona | Posted in General Discussion on August 14, 2020 04:33pm

So I’m starting a table build and wasn’t able to get the exact lumber I wanted, I’m planning a trestle style table with almost 2″ think boards for the top( will be a little less one I join and plane them). I have a 4×10 by 120 in the shop, but I need to make the legs knee braces and a bench. I can get that don’t if I mill it down to 3×3 but would that look funny and not supportive enough or should I mill to 4×4 and get another 4×10 and mill to 4×4 to make the bench as well. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Replies

john_c2 | Aug 14, 2020 06:04pm | #1
Huh?
daverichards | Aug 14, 2020 06:43pm | #2
I think you need to give us a sketch of what you are planning. It's too difficult to give you an answer with what you've written.
Wmacdona | Aug 14, 2020 07:05pm | #3
This is what I'm building just wondering if I build the entire bottom out of 3x3's of it would be first sturdy enough and if it would look alright
daverichards | Aug 14, 2020 07:23pm | #4
It'll be plenty sturdy from 3x3 actual dimensions. 3-1/3 x 3-1/2 like the one in the photo might look a little nicer if you can get it.
daverichards | Aug 14, 2020 07:41pm | #5
I started modeling that table in SketchUp using 3-1/2 in. square pieces based on the manufacturer's specs. Based on the photos, I don't think 3-1/2 in. if the finished dimension. I think 2-3/4" is closer.
daverichards | Aug 14, 2020 07:50pm | #6
This is a quickie based on the 84 in. long table.
Wmacdona | Aug 14, 2020 10:22pm | #7
That's for the feed back! Yeah I can get close to 3 1/2 one planed might be closer to 3 1/4 or 3 exact but glad to know it will be plenty sturdy! Appreciate it!
john_c2 | Aug 15, 2020 07:23am | #8
With 3x3, you could land a helicopter on the top. The thickness of the woid won't be an issue, the joiner will be more significant. And because of the lack of diagonal, swaying sideways in the long direction will be an issue.
john_c2 | Aug 15, 2020 07:25am | #9
Also, the parts on this aren't solid. It looks like they got the final thickness on these parts by laminating 8/4 and 5/4. Those are guesses, but it's definitely laminated.
daverichards | Aug 15, 2020 07:37am | #10
Did you see my sketch and compare it to the photo? I don't think you need more than 3 in square for the undercarriage. As for the Top, John_C2 is correct. It is made up of thinner pieces. It may be that the 2-3/4 in. thickness of the top is mostly at the edges. The entire top doesn't need to be that thick.
rob_ss | Aug 15, 2020 08:11am | #11
People do tend to under-estimate the strength of wood.

You could in theory make this out of very thin wood, but it would wobble.

It is always tempting to over-engineer in wood (safe) and provided this suits the look you want then that is fine, but realistically most designers put way more wood in than is actually necessary.

The table as designed in 3 inch timber would be strong enough to support several vikings dancing on it in a mead hall. It would probably survive albeit with considerable flex if made from 2 inch timber, but the longer you make it the bigger the wobble.