Table Extension, Winter Project

[55wed55]

Living in Ohio we put our 5th wheel away for the winter. Before we stored it I removed our free standing dining room table and took it down to the basement/workshop.

The table was just a little too small for us. It’s fine just to eat from but if we are both sitting at the table with food and wanted to read a magazine or look at a laptop it was a little crowded.

I decided that an additional 16” should work fine and it wouldn’t be in the way. So this is what I came up with.

I took a picture of the table and went to my local hardwood sawmill. I thought the table was oak but they said it was ash. Since I don’t have bar clamps I had them glue up the raw wood. I paid around $60.00 for the glued piece of ash, 16” x 26” x 1-1/4 plus a couple of 1 x 4s for the pieces underneath.

Took the table apart and sanded the top to remove the old finish. It was in good shape but I did this so the two pieces would match. I found a stain at Home Depot that was close to the original finish. I cut out two slots in the bottom pieces of the original table to let the 2x2s slide in and out to support the extension. I used a Kreg pocket hole jig (which I already had) to attach the bottom pieces to the extension and a new piece on the original table to hold in the 2x2s. Bought a brass clip to hold the two pieces together.

Although the stain doesn’t match exactly, I’m happy with the results. When I put the table back in the trailer I’m going to attach the one end to the wall with some aluminum angle. It will be too heavy and tip with the extension on if I don’t. I’ll probably just store the extension up against the wall under the table with some kind of clip. That way it will be out of the way when we’re not using it. Check out the pictures below.

[mark5w]

Nice job. Looks great.

[LeBo]

Originally Posted by mark5w

Nice job. Looks great.

What a great project and up grade. How long did it take to make? And how dose the brass clips work to hold the leaf to the main table and do they stay in with leaf removed. Great Job!

[Donjamin]

Very nice job.

[55wed55]

Originally Posted by LeBo

What a great project and up grade. How long did it take to make? And how dose the brass clips work to hold the leaf to the main table and do they stay in with leaf removed. Great Job!

It took me quite a while but I just worked on it in my spare time. The most time was refinishing it. I put on 2 coats of stain and about 6 coats of water base polyurethane. The brass clip works great, it's held in with some type of spring clip. You just pull it out and I can turn the clip around and insert in the extension side and it stays there. I did have to screw a couple small pieces of wood on the bottom of the extension near where the 2x2s pull out to keep it from moving side to side. I'll post another picture when I put it back in the trailer.

Dave

[cubfan]

Sweet. It looks like it was a factory piece only better. Could you install some sort of counter weight on the opposite end to prevent it from tipping?

[Lloyd]

Very, very nice!

[SeanRN]

Great job! Thanks for sharing.

[DavidandJennifer]

Wow that looks fantastic! Great job

[r2millers]

Nice job Dave. Do the 2x2's release from the leaf and slide under the original table when not in use and lock down or are they attached to the leaf and slide into the main table when in use?
I love the sliding concept, knowing a drop down pivot type wouldn't work here.

[55wed55]

Yes the 2x2s slide under the table and stay there just from the tight fit. I put a big headed screw at the end of each 2x2 to stop it from pulling all the way out. The leaf just sits on top of the 2x2s after I pull them out. Below are before and after pictures. Like I said in an earlier post, I will need to attach the one end to the wall because the table will tip with the extension on.

Dave

[sjk1998]

Two thumbs up 👍👍 Really nice job.

[sleepyT]

Dave
Can we see some pics after you get it installed in the camper... Very nice job...

[55wed55]

Yes, I will take a couple pictures after I get it back in the trailer. I get it out of winter storage on April 16th.

Dave

[55wed55]

Finally got the table back in the trailer. Here are a couple pictures. Before and after. I did connect the table to the wall to support the extra weight of the extension.

[r2millers]

Originally Posted by 55wed55

Finally got the table back in the trailer. Here are a couple pictures. Before and after. I did connect the table to the wall to support the extra weight of the extension.

Thanks Dave for sharing. Now to get a 5th matching chair!