Expert: Jamie Yocono - 5/8/2009

Question
Hi, my husband and I are working on building a coffee table and are having troubles coming up with the plans for the legs. It seems most tables have the legs set in the skirting, but we want to line up the skirting with the edge of the table the entire way around, then set the legs behind the skirt. What is the best method to do this? The table legs will be 18" high, and 24" x 48" x 3/4" for the top.

Answer
Hi Keriann,

If I understand your question correctly, you want to make the edge of the table flush with the skirting. That means you would be making a table with no overhang whatsoever. Did I get that right?

There are tables that have that appearance, a Parsons table is one example. But generally, an overhang is incorporated in the design so that it's comfortable when someone sits in a chair and scoots up close to the table. See, there are things called "architectural standards" by which most things are built to certain specifications. Like a table height is generally 30" tall, and a chair seat is generally 18" tall. That leaves a 12" differential, perfect for a person's legs which much fit in there somewhere.

That said, your design ISN'T a dining table, so there isn't the need to use these standards in it's design. Still, a tabletop that has no overhang will appear "thicker" than a top with one. So you might want to consider that in your design/planning stage.

If I were making a table with no overhang, and instead wanted the skirting flush with the top, I would use some method for helping this alignment, like biscuits or small wooden blocks. If you miter the corners of the skirting, you won't see any end grain.

Then - the legs could be tucked into the corners, behind the skirting. If you don't want the look of them being set back (behind the skirt) you could remove some of the wood on the upper part of the leg so it's also flush with the top/skirting. I would screw and glue these legs into place, as they will be somewhat fragile just glued into these corners. If you cut the legs carefully, you can get an awfully nice fit at this three way joint, and it will look quite contemporary.

Last thing - something to consider is seasonal movement of wood, meaning it shrinks and swells with humidity changes in the air. Wood moves much more across the grain, rather than end to end. Let's just say you have a coffee table top that is 24" x 48". If it is solid wood, that table can possibly "move" as much as a 1/4" or more along that 24" width. End to end - not so much. But if you have your skirting attached all the way to that edge, and the top moves, you might experience some splitting on your skirting corner joints. I've seen this happen quite frequently. That's another reason that tablemakers have that overhang - the top is allowed to "float" on top of the table base, thus minimizing the chance for any splitting. Just something to think about.

I hope this helps, write back if I wasn't clear about something, or if you have more questions. Good luck!

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com