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How to Attach Breadboard to End of Table

17K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  TylerJones 
The breadboard ends didn't get longer, the width of the table shrunk. With breadboard ends, you can expect them to be short of the width of the table in humid conditions (summer) and longer when there is less humidity (winter). The most sensible way to attach breadboard ends is to cut a stopped tenon on the table ends, then cut a slot in the breadboard ends to fit the tenon. It can be glued for a small distance in the center but not all the way along it's length. As Mtntrdr said, it's pinned in the center and pinned in elongated holes the rest of the way, usually, drawbored to pull everything tight. This keeps the ends and table in line and allows the table top to move. Biscuits are useless in this application. With such larger than normal ends, you want a fairly deep and thick tenon.

At this point, you could use a stopped spline, (loose tenon) after taking off the ends. Stop it back about 1/2" to 3/4" from each end so the slots don't show. Use a slotting cutter in a hand held router. Cut from both faces to center the slot. I would want as thick a spline as possible, leaving about 3/16" on each face of the table top and breadboard ends and as deep as you can go. Those wide ends are going to be trouble. I would want some slats underneath to help support those wide ends. Normally, breadboard ends are in the 1 1/2" - 2 1/4" range. Wide ends will move across the grain, too, and they can warp or twist.
 
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