My wife asked me for a folding bridge table, without specific joints I decided on a foldaway table easy to dismantle. 

 

I have built this table in French walnut and using billiard cloth.  The feet are removable and can be stored under the top.

 

A few tricks make it an easy job and a lamello device is useful.

 

The MDF 12mm table top, 80 by 80cm, serves as a template for making the frame of the table perfectly square and flat.  It is kept in place throughout the construction of the frame until finished.  Later this top is removed, planed on two sides to slightly reduce it’s dimensions, in order to fit the table cloth.  A billiard cloth, relatively expensive but very nice, is fitted in a groove and blocked with a long conical stick, as for a billiard table.  This groove is made with a lamello machine at the middle of the table thickness. 

The frame is made in 2 parts, first a side rail is fitted with 3 transient vertical screws to the table top.  This side rail includes a cavity to store the leg.  A 45° oak corner block reinforces the joint, and holds a pulling 8mm bold, holding the leg against the side rail. 

The apron 37 by 25mm is built on the side rail as usual with a lamello, slightly under the level of the top in order to ensure the return of the thickness of the cloth.

The legs are 37 by 37mm rounded walnut including a 45° lateral HeliCoil nut, or brass threaded insert.  The insertion of the threaded insert is done on a drill press on a specific jig-support.  It’s a delicate time to be adjusted to available threaded insert models available in stores. This gives a sturdy knock-down joint.

Finally the top and it’s cloth is refitted and secured with 5 screws to the side rails. The table cloth is easy to change later.

The finish is either with Danish oil or varnished.

 

Richard Zimmermann

 

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