Hey everyone! I'm taking on a fun challenge to build an end table using entirely joinery, without any hardware at all. I'm particularly stumped on how to attach the tabletop to the skirt without resorting to screws or similar fasteners. I feel like I once saw some great techniques in a video, but I'm struggling to find solid resources right now. Does anyone have suggestions for methods or videos that demonstrate how to tackle this? I'd really love to watch a video on it!
4 Answers
One solid option is to use a sliding dovetail joint. If you create a groove on both the apron and the tabletop, a dovetail peg will secure it all together nicely.
You could also try using buttons attached with a dowel and some glue. If your design allows, a tongue that is waxed can move nicely in a groove or a wider mortise.
Consider cutting a mortise in the top of the table and letting the legs run through it, pinning it in with a wedge. You can join the apron to the legs with mortise and tenon joints, and if your joinery is precise, you might not even need glue. If you're not keen on legs going through the top, you can just glue the apron to the underside of the tabletop after a mortise and tenon.
You might want to look into sliding dovetail methods. They're versatile and can be done by hand, with power tools, or even a mix of both!