Help designing a dining table

[mbaker7667]

I am building a kitchen dining room table for a friend and I am not sure how to properly attach the table top to the base. It is for a fellow Army service member and we move every two to three years. So I would like to help them by making the table top easily taken off the base so it doesn't get damaged or too cumbersome during multiple moves.

any help or guidance would be appreciated.

Attached is a picture of the table I am going to be trying to emulate. I will be using 4x6s for the base and 2x4s for the top.

Marcus Baker

 

[nclemmons]

You could just make mortises in the top and tenons in the base and let the top sit on the base.  Could even use Dominos as one simple option. 

Alternatively, you could use angle iron, perhaps 1 1/2" size around the base where it meets the top that would conceal it from side visibility.  Screws go into the top and the top side of the base.  That would allow the table to easily be moved without coming apart from the base.

Welcome to FOG - please share photos as you proceed with the project!

 

[mbaker7667]

Thanks for the reply. I like the angle iron ideas a lot. I was thinking about that already. I will definitely post some pictures of the final outcome. thanks for the helo.

 

[Holmz]

I like the Angle iron approach.
On the other end of the spectrum is the Lamello Invis.

I have similar friends that move.
If they get charged by the weight, then it can be a difficulty to have an overly substantial table.

Something like Spruce may be lighter, if it is rugged enough??

 

[mike_aa]

[member=64075]mbaker7667[/member]
Another idea is to use these to fix the top in place.  Although not as robust as the angle iron, coupled with dominos or mortises/tenons they should be enough to hold the top in place until time comes to move it and they are a lot less visible.  You could even make your own if you wanted them to be heavier duty.
http://www.rockler.com/desk-top-fas...PL&sid=V9146&gclid=CPDiy8PzhdICFdgGgQodstgMLw

Mike A.

 

[mbaker7667]

Thanks for all the replies and help. I appreciate it a lot. I am thinking about cutting out a mortise and attaching a 2x4 on the bottom of the top and sliding it into the mortise and drilling 2 holes close to the end and sliding a 14 inch bolt through each end and securing the top that way. So they can easily attach and detach the top. I am only concerned with movement but if I make the mortise and foux tenon tightly fit I don't think there will be too much movement. What do you guys think about that idea?

 

[mbaker7667]

I just realized I mentioned the wrong joint, I am thinking more of a sliding dovetail but instead of it having a traditional taper to it. The joint will have the 2x4 attached to the bottom of the table top and it will slide along a cutout on the top of the base. I would pre drill holes perpendicular to the 2x4s so I can thread the 14 inch bolt through and tighten it down. I hope that makes a little more sense. I can attach a picture of a drawing later to get a better idea of what I am imagining.

 

[Dane]

If you ran threaded rod from the top down through the 4 corners with a nut on the bottom- it would lock the whole assembly together and you'd never have to worry about any of those attachment point loosening up or failing as people lean on it etc...Could attach it to the top with a screw-in t-nut or a pipe flange...

 

[Tinker]

My first thought was the sliding dovetail as well.  With further thought, The top will be heavy and possibly become very cumbersome to slide apart.  I vote for the large M&T's.  The angle iron and 2x4 ideas with bolts are good as well.
Tinker