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Farmhouse Table w/ Equalizer Slides and breadboard ends

1776 Views 10 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Jpzelasko, Jun 10, 2019

Jpzelasko

Discussion Starter · Mar 1, 2019 (Edited by Moderator)

Newbie Post here but cant find the answer so I figured I would ask…

Ok, so I am in the process of building a new dining table (dimensions 40" x 72") out of Ash. I plan on the grain going the length of the table as well as plan on putting a 3-4 inch breadboard at each end for aesthetics as well as functionality. The twist is that I am going to also install equalizer slides so that I can add 2×24" leaves (for the 2-3 times per year that we have company over)

my questions are:

1) In the center of the table (that separates in order to accommodate the addition of the leaves) do I need to also add breadboards to those ends in oder to prevent the table top from warping or would breadboards on one side do the trick?

2) Because I plan on having the grain run longways, I wanted to have the grain on the breadboards run perpendicular (to break up the space) My concern is that because they will be much shorter, is it recommended that I put breadboards at the ends of the leaves as well? I dont want to install a leaf this fall and come to find out it doesnt fit anymore because it warped…

important note the lumber I am using is rough sawn and kiln dried between 7-10%.

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Unknowncraftsman

· #2 · Mar 1, 2019 (Edited by Moderator)

No it's not a good idea. Plus it would look odd having the grain change direction in the middle of the table. Probably would look like two tables.
If your lumber is dry and well behaved your bread board ends are going to be more of a design then saving the table from warping.
I have more opinions about table designs but I'll bow out now.
Good luck

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wkndwrnch

· #3 · Mar 1, 2019

See my thread on walnut table,regarding bread board ends!I received some great responses!

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bondogaposis

· #4 · Mar 1, 2019

Lots and lots of table are built without any breadboards, they are not really necessary but more of a design element. So no you do not need them at both ends and the middle and no you do not need them on the leaves unless you want to. Use high quality lumber and good technique and you will be fine. Just allow for movement in your construction.

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CWWoodworking

· #5 · Mar 1, 2019

If it were me, I would skip bread boards all together, and make leaves that go on the ends of the table. IMO, nothing is more visually appealing in a farmhouse table than a solid slab of wood running long ways.

If you must do them, I would do them on both ends to keep a balanced panel. Probably over cautious thinking though.

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bruc101

· #6 · Mar 1, 2019

I just finished 4 farmhouse tables for one of my dealers. He went with company boards on each end. Much more stable, less hassle and cheaper and still have the solid table top.

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RichT

· #7 · Mar 1, 2019

I just finished 4 farmhouse tables for one of my dealers. He went with company boards on each end. Much more stable, less hassle and cheaper and still have the solid table top.

- bruc101

I doubt if many folks on here know what company boards are. For the record, I agree they are superior to leaves.

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bruc101

· #8 · Mar 1, 2019 (Edited by Moderator)

I just finished 4 farmhouse tables for one of my dealers. He went with company boards on each end. Much more stable, less hassle and cheaper and still have the solid table top.

- bruc101

I doubt if many folks on here know what company boards are. For the record, I agree they are superior to leaves.

- Rich

You're probably correct, so we can also call them table extensions. I've always been amazed at the women that know what they are and ask for them. The husbands, not so much lol.

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SMP

· #9 · Mar 1, 2019

I doubt if many folks on here know what company boards are. For the record, I agree they are superior to leaves.

- Rich

I never knew what they were until my in laws bought a table at a high end furniture store years ago. While visiting them, they asked if i could get the extensions out of the closet, and when i didn't see a line in the table i was kind of confused. Then once i got them thought that was a pretty cool set up. That was many years before the whole farmhouse table trend, but i didn't know what they were called til years later, since my in laws just calle them "extensions"

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wkndwrnch

· #10 · Mar 2, 2019

I just finished 4 farmhouse tables for one of my dealers. He went with company boards on each end. Much more stable, less hassle and cheaper and still have the solid table top.

- bruc101

Please explain "company boards" Could that be the leaves that come out when company is coming?

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Jpzelasko

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 10, 2019

Thank you all for the feedback!

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