"henny" wrote in message

I bought a pack of figure 8 table top fasteners for my mission style
coffee table. I needs some tips.

My table is roughly 22" X 48". Should I use 3 fasteners for each rail
and 1 for the middle of each stretcher?

Generally speaking, in woodworking parlance, tables have "aprons" (at the
top of the legs, upon which the top (hopefully) rests).

Don't make it difficult, here's how I do it:

Use 4 figure 8's if you can get away with it, one on each apron.

If you really feel it necessary, use 6, 2 evenly spaced on the top of the
long aprons, and 1 each in the middle of the two short aprons.

If using four, in the top of the middle of each "apron", use a Forstner bit
to drill the 5/8" "mortise" for the large end of the figure 8 fastener.

Let the bit hang over the inner edge of each apron about 1/4" while drilling
(just be carefull that the center of the "mortise" (where the screw goes) is
far enough away from the edge to not split the apron when the screw is
driven home!)

With the countersink up, drill a small pilot hole and fasten snugly with
provided screw (angle the fasteners slightly so they are not perpindicular
to the cross grain of your table top and thus have room to move with the any
expansion contraction).

They don't have to be loose ... don't worry, when the wood moves, they will
move.

With the table upside down on a flat surface and positioned over the top,
drill a small pilot hole if necessary and screw the small end if the
fastener snugly into the underside of the table top with provided screws.

That is ALL you need to do.

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Last update: 12/24/06