The Problem
The long and short of it can be presented in two words: Cracked Tabletop. But the table is old. Not a family heirloom of mine, maybe someone else's at one time, but I only came by said table a couple weeks ago with one easy payment of $60 cash at a local auction. I recognized it as being made of walnut; it's also what's called a hall table, with a single drawer at one end. Drop leaf too. Couldn't do without it, apparently, because I brought it home. So a few glamor shots.
Here's a picture of the underside of the table, showing the wooden hinged drop leaf support and the glue block system holding the top to the aprons.
And a closer pic of said blocks, also showing the crack that is the problem that gives this blog entry a name.
From the underside.
From the top.
Lots to explore with this table. The legs have wheels I haven't seen before. The top's underside is scalloped; evidence of hand planing. Hand cut tongue and groove work on the drawer. And another construction detail that was a surprise to me. So, there's exploration of the table as well as a solution to the 'crack' in the offing. I know, not a big deal for the pros on this site. But it's a big deal to me, because I'd like to do a fix that allows the top to move (unlike the 'glue it in place' build style that didn't figure for wood movement).If you're interested, follow along. If not, no problem. Thanks for looking, more to come!
The long and short of it can be presented in two words: Cracked Tabletop. But the table is old. Not a family heirloom of mine, maybe someone else's at one time, but I only came by said table a couple weeks ago with one easy payment of $60 cash at a local auction. I recognized it as being made of walnut; it's also what's called a hall table, with a single drawer at one end. Drop leaf too. Couldn't do without it, apparently, because I brought it home. So a few glamor shots.
Here's a picture of the underside of the table, showing the wooden hinged drop leaf support and the glue block system holding the top to the aprons.
And a closer pic of said blocks, also showing the crack that is the problem that gives this blog entry a name.
From the underside.
From the top.
Lots to explore with this table. The legs have wheels I haven't seen before. The top's underside is scalloped; evidence of hand planing. Hand cut tongue and groove work on the drawer. And another construction detail that was a surprise to me. So, there's exploration of the table as well as a solution to the 'crack' in the offing. I know, not a big deal for the pros on this site. But it's a big deal to me, because I'd like to do a fix that allows the top to move (unlike the 'glue it in place' build style that didn't figure for wood movement).If you're interested, follow along. If not, no problem. Thanks for looking, more to come!