Table Support

[Nitefly]

Hi there.

I’ve ordered a massive 240cm x 96cm x 4cm worktop that I play to make a mega table out of.

Ive bought some steel industrial type legs to keep it up at its sides. Between the two legs will be about 2m of unsupported worktop.

It’s dawned on me that the wood may potentially warp of it’s not supported somehow. I really don’t like having table legs in the middle of the table so the obvious solution would be to buy some sort of steel support beam to screw onto the underside of the table, taking up any sag.

Two questions:

Do you think the worktop will warp unsupported, or am I being too cautious?

Why cannot I not find a metal support beam to buy anywhere!! Just a ~1.5m steel beam with drill holes to fix to the table. What it this sort of thing called? I just can’t seem to buy one.... it can’t be that uncommon...!

Cheers!

 

[Nitefly]

Many thanks for the replies chaps.

Having a bit more of a search this morning I’m thinking that this is ultimately the sort of thing I’m looking for:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/800875572/rectangle-table-legs-with-support-bar?ref=hp_rv-4

I’ll have to get them to make their longest frame a little longer (~220cm) - it suggests that they can do customer orders.

I’d still rather use the ‘non’ rectangular legs I’ve ordered though, if I could get away with it (which FYI were these V frame legs in black):

https://www.thehairpinlegcompany.co...ts/box-section-v-frame?variant=31350149644422

Do you think that both sets of legs need to be connected by a beam (as per the above Etsy link)? My immediate thought was ‘no they do not need to be connected’, as the V-frame legs have about 12 screws holding them in place and are surely ‘rock solid’ so as to avoid wobble.

Meanwhile, the Etsy legs as per the above link only seem to have two screws for each set of rectangular legs, which to my mind is less secure for wobble purposes.

I’m still thinking adding a singular bar or box to the underside will be the best resolution.... without needing to connect it to the legs. Thoughts?

 

[Nitefly]

No need to have the leg frames fixed together as long as the bar is wedged between the leg frames it will still maintain rigidity.

Thickness of the worktop and material type will make a large difference to the rigidity of the wood too. Plywood Vs chipboard Vs MDF Vs solid wood).

Thanks mate. Just to clarify, I’m thinking of having the two sets of legs on the end, then having a steel bar underneath (possibly just ~2m fixed to the wood with screws but NOT touching the separate steel legs.

To my mind, the steel legs shouldn’t wobble and the the steel bar should prevent any warping by reinforcing the weak point in the middle of the table. However, if that’s a nonsense let me know

 

[Nitefly]

Preference would be to have the brace touching the frames. Check out your local iron monger's / metal shop (if your in Bath a company called Avery Knight and bowyer on James St west is the best) for a quarter inch steel bar, they will cut to the length you want. And also be able to give you better advice as the right material to do what you want.

That should be fine. The bar and the legs are doing two different jobs. Having them welded together so your table is just a worktop attached to a fabricated legs+bar assembly would be an improvement though and help keep the legs perpendicular to the worktop.

Thanks both - I’m going to give an iron monger a call and see what they recommend

Many thanks!!