jgfore Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Hello everyone, It has been over a year since I have been on the forum, and it is good to be back. I have a question for some of you quality woodworkers out there. I am about to start building a dining table that can slide apart to add a leaf in the middle. Of all the tables that I have built, I have never been asked to build one that could expand. What is some good recommendations for make the 2 sides slide, and the center still be strong. The table will be expandable to about 11' long. I have thought about making a large single dovetail slide between the two sides, and a mortise and tenon connection for the leaf. Please let me know your ideas, or what you have used in the past that works. I would even be interested in retail hardware if it is quality enough. Thanks, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Personally, I would buy the slides. You'll have plenty of work in the rest of the table. Beyond that, I am seeing real wisdom in Wdwerker's often spoken suggestion to go shopping and measure those you like. Measuring is not a furniture store sin as furniture needs to fit unique spaces. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Wooden slides that you can buy today have a fair amount of play in them but there is a reason for that ! If it doesn't have play it would never survive. I forget the place I ordered from but they are probably imported now. Measure in furniture stores then adapt to suit your needs. Slide needs to open about an inch or more than the width of the leaf so the alignment pins can clear the gap too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Wright Posted March 18, 2016 Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 I would buy them. If you look online you will find several versions. Here is one from Lee Valley that looks to be decent quality http://www.leevalley.com/en/Hardware/page.aspx?cat=3,43586&p=40139 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 18, 2016 Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 Osbourne makes a pretty good slide too. Just couldn't remember the name before. https://www.osbornewood.com/table-slides.aspx?gclid=CjwKEAjwq6m3BRCP7IfMq6Oo9gESJACRc0bNF5OaUCEFrLC9ucGjgNrWLQVd6cFClaeDkSeXF5MOFRoCqtzw_wcB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgfore Posted March 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 Thank you all for your information. I looked at the Lee Valley and Osborne web sites. I will be buying some slides from Osborne! Everyone's comments were very helpful. Thanks, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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