[saddlesore]

What is the best way to mount a table top to the base. Is wood movement a concern with a top that has melamine on both surfaces and the edges finished too? Are figure 8 fastners OK? The base is still in design stage so open to all options.

Thanks

 

[Mike]

If your table top has melamine or other plastic laminate on both the top and bottom surfaces it will not move. Figure 8 fasteners are a good choice. There are other products and methods such as "Z" clips, using woodenblocks trimmed into an "L" shape or using the new top attaching bits to rout slots in corner braces so screws can move if need be. Perhaps understanding how the wood moves will help even more. Think of your wood as being a bundle of straws. Moisture can easily pass in and out of the ends with no effect on the length. But the moisture takes up space and can cause the "straws" to move apart or side to side. This cross grain movement is what we try to compensate for when attaching a top or building panels.

 

[Bob N]

Good info provided by Mike as always.

Another thought would be to use dowels if quick knock down is desired for storage.

 

[nzgeordie]

Another possibility is to use threaded inserts in your top to take the fixings. That way you can insert/remove the screws as many times as you like without eventually wearing out the holes.

 

[bobj3]

Hi saddlesore

I know this may not be what you want BUT the simpler it is ,always works the best .
Drill one hole in each corner of the top and into a corner block in the base cabinet,then put in some Allen Flat Hd. Cap Screws in that turn into some T-Nuts in the corner blocks..

You can remove the top if you need to replace it with one Allen Wench quick and easy or to store it away

Bj

What is the best way to mount a table top to the base. Is wood movement a concern with a top that has melamine on both surfaces and the edges finished too? Are figure 8 fastners OK? The base is still in design stage so open to all options.

Thanks