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Thread: Table design question

  1. #1
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    Table design question

    I'm thinking about building a table very similar to this. The table will be 48" wide and 96" long. The top will be 4/4 thick red oak. How should the legs be attached to the aprons. The legs would bee 5/4 or 6/4 finished. I'm thinking that the aprons across the ends would attach via mortise and tenon, but I'm not sure how to tie in the side aprons.
    Brenda's table.jpg
    Lee Schierer
    USNA '71
    Go Navy!

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  2. #2
    Pocket screws seem like a no-brainer here, no?

  3. #3
    What's wrong with mortise and tenon for the long aprons?

    Or, if you want it to be able to be knocked down, you could use a couple of dowels and something like this bed rail connector from Rockler.
    Last edited by Dave Richards; 06-27-2018 at 1:12 PM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Elmodel, Ga.
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    An angled brace across the aprons with hanger bolts in the legs. When you tighten the nut on the hanger bolt, it compresses the leg into the apron. That way it would be removed for moving. I've done a few tables that way and they were stout. I've never tried it on one as large as what you are looking at though.
    My Dad always told me "Can't Never Could".

    SWE

  5. #5
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    You could use mortise & tenon, dowels, or dominos if you have them.
    If I was doing it, I would use dowels since that is what I have.
    Army Veteran 1968 - 1970
    I Support the Second Amendment of the US Constitution

  6. #6
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    Mortise and tenon or Domino, no question about it

  7. #7
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    Lee, mortise and tenon will work both directions and will be the only joint strong enough for a table that size. The top of the leg looks to be rectangular in cross section so the mortises won't run into each other. Go at least 1 1/2" for the legs or even 2". Cheers

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
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    Hi Lee
    I'll see Wayne's 2" and raise him 2 more.

    You will want to cut those curved legs out of solid stock and curve them in both directions.

    You will want to have really sturdy tenons with some room for them in both directions without too much interference.

    Start with some blanks that are a full 4" square. Make a practice leg first, this can be tricky to do right.

    You won't regret the expense.

  9. #9
    I think you would be able to use mortise and tenon as well as dowels.

  10. #10
    Pinned M/T would my first choice.

    Do NOT use pocket screws (trust me).

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