Extension Table design question

[Jeremy Killingbeck]

I am in the process of building a dining room table out of walnut that has 2 extension leaves. My questions is the design of the leaves. Normally I would make a solid glued up top and add breadboards to the end to keep the table from cupping. Since I will have leaves in the table is there anything that I can do to help keep the table from cupping after it is finished? The table design is a trusses table that does not have an apron, so it would need some other way of adding support. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[Jamie Buxton]

Which way does the grain on the top run -- the long direction, or the short one? If you run it the short direction, a lot of things get easier.

[Jeremy Killingbeck]

The grain runs long direction.

[Lee Schierer]

One thing you can do is to apply your finish on all sides of the table top and frame. Make sure your wood is at 7% or less and stabilized to your shop before you start working on it.

[Robert Engel]

Put breadboards where the two main top leaves meet.

IMO I've never found finishing both sides will prevent cupping. I would do it anyway, tho.

BTW My next project is a dining table with leaves. I've been considering running the boards short ways.

[Dave Richards]

I'm working on a design for an extension table that will have the grain running lengthwise. There'll be cleats on the underside to help prevent cupping as you'd do on the lid of a chest.