Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Table top question

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Expert: - 5/11/2010


Question
QUESTION: Ok, I have got this idea for making a table. Im trying to get an interesting finish but trying to spend the least possible. Is it possible to have a plywood table top (18mm) glued to a glass sheet (5mm thickness that is painted on the back side shiny black) of the same dimensions. The table legs are of the screw-on type so the table top will be part of the structural support (no apron, or steel structure, just table legs bolted onto the plywood). I would assume that a good adhesive will be necessary so as to produce one solid structure. Is this feasible? thanks for any help.

ANSWER: This type of construction will not yield a very strong structure, and by making the glass panel part of the structural top, any stress and or movement will be transferred to the glass. If you paint the glass, any adhesive will only be attached to the paint layer, as well. For a small side or occasional table, this might be ok, but for a larger table like a Dining table I would not advise it....regards- Greg

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick reply! Ok, will take your advice. If i where to make the same table but without the use of glass, how thick do i need the plywood to be so that i will get a strong enough dining table, te be used with the screw on type legs (14cm diameter). Would 25mm plywood be enough (or 25mm chipboard with melamine top).

Answer
Even with a thicker plywood top, this type of construction is not going to result in a table that will be stable and/or strong...it's just not a proper construction to keep a large panel(the top) from bowing, warping, etc., and without a solid base, it will be susceptible to all of those....a proper table base does a lot more than just look nice, it adds structural stability and major strength to the overall construction.

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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