Table with a leaf

[Dave Novak]

I agreed to build my parents a 42" round pedestal style kitchen table for Christmas. The drawing we agreed on called for a pretty simple table base; essentially just an "X" (pic attached, pretty rough drawing). Project scope just increased somewhat by their request to incorporate a 22" - 24" removable leaf into it; now I'm in unfamiliar territory. I'm not necessarily done looking, but I did find this in terms of hardware: http://www.hardwaretree.com/proddetail.php?prod=D-650%2F125U . I assume I dado the top of the "X" to sit the slides flush with the top? Obviously, the table top and leaves will primarily be supported by the hardware which kind of bothers me. Any good ideas regarding hardware or methods of work would be very appreciated. Thanks.

[Mike Henderson]

This is just off the top of my head.

One thing you could do is split the base into two pieces and put in standard table slides. Two people would each grab a side and pull the table open to insert the leaf. Each half of the base would move with each side.

Second alternative: Get equalizer slides and attach them to the base. The top would be attached to the slides. On equalizer slides, when you pull one side, the other side opens also - there's a gear in the middle of the slides that force both sides to open up when one side is pulled open. In this case, the base is solid. The problem with this approach is that the table can be "tippy" because the ends are unsupported. If someone were to push down on one end, the other end could come up.

Mike

[Rather than doing one 22" to 24" leaf, do two 12" leaves. Easier to handle and store and gives more options for use of the table.]

[Dave Novak]

Thanks Mike, I was planning on using equalizer slides that develop a camber when opening to compensate for the sagging of the table ends and making the base (the part that contacts the floor anyway) wider than I otherwise would have to minimize tipping. Great idea splitting the leaf into two pieces! Thanks.

[denis tuomey]

IMG_7289.jpgTABLE 2011 031.jpgTABLE 2011 015.jpgIMG_7336.jpgDave, I did a 47" table last year w/ 2-15" leafs and used the equalizer slides, they work quite well. With both leafs in I havent noticed any sag and it would take alot of effort to raise one end when pushing down on the other. I think the equalizers would be your best bet. Here are some pics of mine. Good luck on your project.

[Steve Jenkins]

I use heavy duty metal slides by watertown. they are pricey but zero sag even with long extensions. They make both equalizer and standard. My source is Moin hardware in NY.