How to connect rails to table top
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greenhornet
- Silver Member
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2009 9:30 pm
- Location: Hampton VA
How to connect rails to table top
Last evening, my Shopsmith speed dial controller malfunctioned (chewed up the teeth - I have to order a replacement). I was going to attach the rails to the table top using pocket holes drilled using the drill-press function. Rather than wait for the replacement part to arrive, any suggestions? I thought about a biscuit joiner, which I have, but I haven't used it enough to be comfortable with this procedure. This project is a coffee table made of walnut (glue-up stock for top), turned legs with mortise/tenon joints between legs and rails. I do not own a "pocket-hole jig". Your help is greatly appreciated!
Geez! There are several ways to attach a table top to the rails. there are the small double 'L' shaped metal connectors. One side fits into a groove made in the rails (usually the end rails) The other side is screwed to the top. The slot in the side rails allows for wood movement of the top. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=784&filter=table%20hardware
Another method is to screw a small block(something like ¾"x1½") to the inside of the rails at the rail top. (one block the length of the rail or a couple of smaller blocks) The ¾ edge of these blocks can be glued and screwed to the inside of the rails. When making these blocks there needs to be slots, about ¼" long and the width of the screw shanks drilled through the wide side of the block. Screws can be inserted through these slots and into the top. The slots allow for movement of the table top screws with the wood. The holes and slots can be made with a hand drill.
Don't know how you would use pocket holes to attach the top while allowing for wood movement anyway. But then I'm not into pocket holes. One of my failings!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Another method is to screw a small block(something like ¾"x1½") to the inside of the rails at the rail top. (one block the length of the rail or a couple of smaller blocks) The ¾ edge of these blocks can be glued and screwed to the inside of the rails. When making these blocks there needs to be slots, about ¼" long and the width of the screw shanks drilled through the wide side of the block. Screws can be inserted through these slots and into the top. The slots allow for movement of the table top screws with the wood. The holes and slots can be made with a hand drill.
Don't know how you would use pocket holes to attach the top while allowing for wood movement anyway. But then I'm not into pocket holes. One of my failings!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
If the Speed Control Handle teeth was what was chewed up, there is an Ebay person who installs a steel gear to repair the Speed Control Handle. He has done quite a few for me without any problems.greenhornet wrote:Last evening, my Shopsmith speed dial controller malfunctioned (chewed up the teeth - I have to order a replacement).
If it was the quadrant teeth that was chewed up, contact me off-line as I have a fix to help prevent this from occurring again.
Bill Mayo bill.mayo@verizon.net
Shopsmith owner since 73. Sell, repair and rebuild Shopsmith, Total Shop & Wood Master headstocks, SPTs, attachments, accessories and parts. US Navy 1955-1975 (FTCS/E-8)
Shopsmith owner since 73. Sell, repair and rebuild Shopsmith, Total Shop & Wood Master headstocks, SPTs, attachments, accessories and parts. US Navy 1955-1975 (FTCS/E-8)