table build top question

[jim sauterer]

i am building a mission style dining table with 2 12 inch leafs.the plan calls for plywood top with oak banding on all 4 sides.i dont want to use ply for the top.the base is 41 by 31 and the top is 44 by 66 without leafs.my question is do i make the top long grain on the width so that the leafs will be more stable and use z clips across the grain and screw the sides on the ends for expansion.i hope i am explaining this correctly.any thoughts appreciated.thanks jim.

[George Bregar]

Well, it's really more of a visual issue. I personally like the grain to run the length but your table is pretty wide so I think running across would look fine. One advantage of running it across the width is utilization of stock...you would need 12' boards to get two lengths longwise (5-1/2'x2=11') but you could two lengths on 8' board across. I can get 10' stock, but not 12". Whatever method you use to attach to the top will be the same...just oriented different.

[jim sauterer]

thanks for the reply george.if i didnt have leafs they would go long naturally.