Table top strength

[David Anthony]

I'm building a small side table out of bubinga. The top will consist of a 3/8" thick panel 16" x 13". It will be surrounded by a "picture frame" 2 1/2" wide, 7/16" thick. The panel will be rabbetted to 1/4" thick and will float in a slot 1/2" deep. Is this a solid design or am I building something incredibly flimsy? Is there any way to easily calculate the load such a structure could support, assuming the table aprons and legs are not a weak point? The table will not need to support much weight (30 lbs max).

[Kirk (KC) Constable]

I make drawer bottoms of that 'size' out of 1/4" material and never even considered it could be a problem...but I think I'd be concerned about a tabletop that thin.

KC