I have a party coming up next week, and my wife has asked me to build a foldable 8-foot table. I initially thought about using edge-glued panels, but with only a week left and no time to acclimate the wood, I'm considering plywood instead. The table will measure 8 feet long and 30 inches wide, with a plywood top that I'll cut in half for folding. I'll attach foldable legs and was planning to add an apron, although that will also be cut in half for folding. I'm concerned about sagging since Sagulator indicates excessive sag when I input my dimensions. I used about 20 inches per foot for a uniform load, but should I reduce that since it's just for dining? I might support the bottom with cross pieces, but I'm unsure how effective that would be. Any advice on how to move forward?
5 Answers
Make sure to include an apron; it'll really help with the stiffness of the table. Even if you cut it in half, having that support makes a big difference.
Consider adding some foldable legs in the middle for added support. If you're putting legs at the apron intersection, that could help too.
Good idea! If I do that, I'll make sure they’re at the apron intersections.
You might be overthinking this with the little time you have! Just rip your 30-inch plywood for the top, add some apron strips to stiffen it, and set it up on sawhorses for now. It will hold up well for a dining setup.
So you're saying the aprons will help when attached to the top? I just want to make sure there's enough support.
To truly minimize sagging, consider constructing a torsion box. Use the plywood for the top and 1x for the sides, then add stiffeners. You can put a second layer of plywood underneath for extra stability, and it’ll help with folding too!
Honestly, if you're really pressed for time, just grab a couple of cheap plastic folding tables. You can easily dress them up with a tablecloth for your party, plus it'll save you a ton of hassle.
Exactly! Quick buy, minimal effort, and they'll do just fine for dining!
Yeah, I'll be adding a 1x4 apron, but I'm concerned since it'll be attached to the top that gets cut in half.