I've been trying to get some tabletop clips from the local Woodcraft
store for several weeks now. These are the ones that look like a
figure eight from the top and are flat with screw holes. Seems
the warehouse hasn't any in stock either. I've seen Norm use
these for his table projects by using a forstner bit to create an
eighth inch pocket on the leg top and screwing the clip in.
Ordering from an online store would cost more in shipping than the
clips themselves.

So I'm looking at alternatives. Knowing the clips are the least
expensive way to go for a low cost book shelf I'm building,
kinda mission style 30" tall, I'm considering Miller dowels or
pocket screws. The Millers seem pretty expensive for the
dowels plus the drill bit and then probably a Japanese
saw to flush cut it. The pocket screws hardware is costly
as well. The question is: which of these are the most
useful for following projects? What is most used/useful:
Miller dowels or pocket screws?

I know there are other tabletop clips but seems to me I'd need
to buy a router bit to make a slot for those as well.

Appreciate your thoughts,

Thunder

Try here. The type you are looking for is listed at the top and another
variety is below. This is a reputable place to deal with.

http://wwhardware.com/catalog.cfm/Gr...op%20Fasteners

I do not suggest dowels or screws as they do not let the table top expand
and contract with out putting undue strain on the legs and aprons.

A better link


http://wwhardware.com/catalog.cfm/ProductID/KV1547



"Leon" wrote in message
. com...
Try here. The type you are looking for is listed at the top and another
variety is below. This is a reputable place to deal with.

http://wwhardware.com/catalog.cfm/Gr...op%20Fasteners

I do not suggest dowels or screws as they do not let the table top expand
and contract with out putting undue strain on the legs and aprons.

In article ,
says...
I've been trying to get some tabletop clips from the local Woodcraft
store for several weeks now. These are the ones that look like a
figure eight from the top and are flat with screw holes. Seems
the warehouse hasn't any in stock either. [...]

Do you have a Rockler store nearby? Item # 21650. Or if you're not in a
big hurry, order over the web.
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product...ferings_id=786

So I'm looking at alternatives.[...]

I know there are other tabletop clips but seems to me I'd need
to buy a router bit to make a slot for those as well.

You mean the ones that are sorta Z-shaped, like these?
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product...ferings_id=784

I use my biscuit joiner to cut slots for them.

Lee Valley has them, too, at a much better price:
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/pa...=3,41306,41309

Rolling Thunder wrote in
:

snip
So I'm looking at alternatives. Knowing the clips are the least
expensive way to go for a low cost book shelf I'm building,
kinda mission style 30" tall,


I'm guessing that we're just talking about securing the top here, right?

Glue small blocks to the underside of the top, or to the top edge of the
sides, but not both. Elongate some screw holes in the blocks, and secure
to the unglued piece with a standard wood screw of appropriate size. The
long screw hole allows for the cross-grain wood movement to occur
gracefully. And cheaply.

The same thing could be done with hidden bracing under the top, which adds
to the strength of the strucure.

Did that make any sense to you? I'd be willing to try again, when I'm
awake.

Patriarch

I've made my own out of aluminum stock. I have sold old aluminum signs (obtained legitimately) that I've cut into 1/2" x 1" pieces. I drilled and countersunk a hole on one end. One end of the clip rides in a dadoe near the top of the table's apron, and the other end get's screwed to the underside of the table top. The price was right and they worked well.

Ok, so you're using them for a bookshelf? Is it for a solid wood top?

To answer your question, I think a pocket hole jig would be very useful
to you if you intend to do a lot of woodworking. I use mine quite a
bit.
If you're doing a face frame for your bookshelf, you'll wonder how you
got along without it.