The Easiest Way to Attach a Tabletop

In this installment of the Beginner Woodworking series, I walk you through you an easy way that anyone can attach a tabletop to a table base using figure 8 fasteners step by step. This is an in depth video for beginner woodworkers, or anyone looking to see the theory of these classic fasteners, and the how to when it comes to installation.

My goal is to help new woodworkers avoid some of the mistakes I made early on. Please like, comment, and subscribe so you don't miss future videos!

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0:00 - Intro
0:56 - Understanding wood movement
3:00 - Anatomy of a figure 8 fastener
3:58 - Planning your install
6:40 - The forstner bit and layout
10:39 - Lets get drilling
13:10 - Chiseling out the recesses
15:20 - Attaching the fasteners to the base
18:45: Planning the positions of the fasteners
20:17 - Attaching the top
24:50 - Outro

[SpottedTongueWoodworking]

Very well-written and super informative! Even for an "experienced" woodworker it's always helpful to see how someone else goes about doing something as simple as attaching a table top. One thing I'd like to add- when drilling for the screws, I use a self-centering drill bit, which serves two purposes- 1) the hole will automatically be centered exactly in the divot left by both the forstner bit and the hole punch, 2) it automatically limits the depth of the hole without having to worry about drilling through the top of the workpiece or through the bottom of the rails.

[MarkKelly]

Youtube suggested this video - and I am considering using Figure 8 fasteners in a project (for the first time). I appreciate your patient teaching method and thorough explanation. As a new woodworker, (at 55yrs old), I found it easy to follow and logical. Thank you! I've subscribed and look forward to perusing your videos. Cheers, Mark

[johnbkinzua]

This was the 2nd video on this fastener I watched because the 1st one, I felt was missing something and you did a much better job of not only showing the steps needed, but also better explained how they work, ex.: mount the fastener slightly less than straight out from the frame, which I agree makes more sense, Thank-You

[BradGump]

I did this just today, used same hardware on a red oak attached to popular base. Base will be painted, top & drawer face will be stained.