Table top fasteners

[JimD]

I have biscuited a piece of scrap - like an ugly piece you wouldn't use where it would show - flat like the top will be to the inside of the rails at the tip. I put one regular hole and one sloted hole in the scrap and screw the top on. You can see this up under the table but you can see the figure 8s or other pieces too. I have also put holes through the apron when it was 1 inch or more thick. You have to allow for wood movement but you don't need fancy fasteners to attach table tops.

Jim

[kwc]

If you want to avoid the S&H charges, you can make your own table
top fasteners out of wood and screws. They are called wood buttons
and have been around longer than figure 8s. I'm assuming your table
has aprons. You cut a 1/4" slot in the apron maybe 1/4" from the
bottom of the top. The buttons are 1" wooden blocks with a 1/4"
tongue that extends into the slot you cut into the apron. You screw
through the button into the top to fasten. Some people use a
biscuit jointer to cut the slots in the apron and size their buttons
accordingly.


Paul

Shop-made wood buttons are usually referenced, as in this case, in the context of fastening a table top to an apron. Is it common to use them to attach a base to a carcase? I'm considering doing this for a hallway bench (solid cherry).

Thanks!
kwc

[atgcpaul]

Shop-made wood buttons are usually referenced, as in this case, in the context of fastening a table top to an apron. Is it common to use them to attach a base to a carcase? I'm considering doing this for a hallway bench (solid cherry).

Thanks!
kwc

Good question. Chest on stand type construction. I personally haven't seen
it done but don't know why it wouldn't be OK if the carcase is captured by
the base and not allowed to slide around too much.

My first coffee table before I knew anything about wood movement was solid
red oak with breadboard ends. It's a 3' wide top. I saw Norm do it but forgot
about the glue thing. I glued the breadboard the whole length to the table
top AND glued and screwed the top to the apron without elongated holes. 5
years later and the table top is still dead flat and has not cracked. I figure
if it ever cracks, it's my excuse to try a Nakashima butterfly key.


Paul