Best Table Top Hardware to Avoid Splitting

This video covers table top hardware and most importantly, the right way to use table top hardware to attach a table top so you don't end up with split top! You’ll learn the right technique, and understand the why, so you can apply the principles to whatever project you’re doing.

Hardware Shown:

Tools I used (affiliate links):

Blades (affiliate links):

///////MY LINKS

#tabletop #tabletophardware #woodworking

[Fab]

This sort of explanatory content is what makes youtube an actual learning resource. Join me in supporting this dude on Patreon!

[ZeroTheHeroGOAT]

I'm a construction carpenter / builder that has ventured into making my own furniture. Not because it's cost effective, cause it really isn't considering the amount of hours I spend, but because I wanted unique furniture. I love videos like this where I can pick up tips and tricks along the way to add to my reportoire. Great stuff, thanks!

[roguepetunia]

I'm repairing a table that already has splits. This was so helpful. This info will help me to repair it in a way that will avoid future splits. thank you

[Bourbon-Guitar]

Best explanation I've ever heard on table tops and wood movement. Thanks!

[brianmcvicker]

One of the best info videos I’ve seen on wood movement fasteners! Thank you!

[davidwollangk]

Thanks for the lesson. I’m taking an old drop leaf dining table (8 legs) apart and turning it into a trestle table (4 legs). I’ve been hashing out the details and fastening the top was a big question. I’m making a 3” skirt out of black walnut and for additional strength I’ll make 2 additional stringers down the middle.

[Berre]

I am restoring a nice art deco table I bought two weeks ago on a flea market. It is solid oak and about a hundred years old. Unfortunately, the table top has split badly; the middle board (of five) has torn itself loose on both sides, giving me 2-1-2 separate boards. Besides, the boards have warped considerably (1/2 ') in different directions and it had large stains from water damage. The table top was attached to the aprons with Z-hooks, almost like the ones you are showing, though they are a bit different. The hooks have slots in which the screw is supposed to move. But as these hooks were severely rusted the were stuck to the wood, not allowing for any sliding. Remarkably, on the short side of the table top the slots of the Z-hooks are pointing perpendicular to the grain of the wood, allowing for contraction and expansion in the right direction. Straightening these boards and gluing them back up will be a nuisance, since I do not own professional machines like a planer. I do have a circular saw and a router. I guess I'll have to improvise. I also need long clamps, which I do not have. Your tips may come in handy. I surely will watch your video with great attention a couple of times to pick up as much tips as possible.

[thomastieffenbacherdocsava]

Nice review and yes accuracy and precision is necessary with screw inserts, especially if you're using more than one in a row. Murphy taught me that. forgot about the wooden buttons, thanks. The corner brace is my next step on an unconventional build I'm doing. Thanks!

[joegarrison]

I learned a great deal, especially as I am thinking about making a coffee table and end tables for my son. Thank you.

[tungsten_carbide]

It's great to have this sort of clear explanatory content on YT, along with some comparative notes on the various options. I like in particular that you covered figure-8 fasteners which I've long been frustrated by since I first became aware of them online a few years ago, because clearly they don't work on the stretchers (worse than useless actually) yet some sources insist on showing them used on all four sides of the apron -_-



Since you asked, you left out my favourite style of commercial tabletop connector. They have gone by various names through the years but I think they're now mostly known as stretcher plates. They have slots in both the orientations needed so they work equally well on any side of an apron. And they don't require any milling work to fit, they just screw into the apron side so they're also the fastest to install. They're perhaps not ideal for very thin apron pieces, but those present a challenge for almost any option.

[DavidBoston-rxyi]

Great video! Seems like the z-clips are the way to go

[jimfuller]

I'm working on a 9' x 3.5' dinning room table out of 5/4 pine boards. It's the biggest table I've ever made. coming along pretty good so far. I used alot of your glue up tricks! Thank you Caleb!

[ArmyVet]

Learned a few things from this video. Thank you so much 👍🏼
What do you think of pocket holes?

[hallux]

I have a 7x3 walnut table top and want to add it to a farm style pedestal base with runners. It has no apron, so do I have to worry about movement as much and can I just screw it into the runners on the base? Thank you for your help

[jdalabama]

Great video. Clear and concise with superb description of various methods and hardware. Also pros and cons of each.

[SekhaitOnline]

Stumpy Nubs has a great video explaining the figure-8 and how to install them for all directions.

[susandernick]

Awesome video. I've been looking for information on how to build a table and came across your channel. You have provided a ton of information so hopefully I can start to build a much needed dinning room table. Thank you for taking the time to provide this videos.

[dangrinthal]

Excellent video in content and production. Thanks so much for making this!

[mtz]

Currently building a Cal King headboard, footboard, and frame out of red oak. It's a beast.

[randywinzeler]

Been searching for this info for a long time after watching my first table bow over the course of a it all makes sense now. Thank you