I have two identical 66" long tables with stationary pedestal bases. The table tops slide apart to accept one 24" leaf in the middle resulting in tables that are 90" long.
I'd like to modify one of the tables so that it expands beyond 90" to 170", and accept 3 additional leaves. In all, the 4 leaves will span 104".
What type of table sliders (rails) should I get and how should they be placed. How far apart should I place the pedestals?
Additioanl details in case they are important:
I plan to make the extra leaves by cannibalizing the other table top.
The tables are 42" wide.
Each stationary pedestal is 30" x 24" x 26" length, width height.
I believe the tables are made of white oak.
Here are some pictures.
Best Answer
Short answer, vertical and strong. I have an old Saginaw Expand-o-Matic that opens from 24" to 90" and is designed to only use the end legs, no middle support. Not sure where you could find this hardware today though.
You want the sliders to be vertical because the majority of the stress will be vertical stress of the table and contents weight. It also helps load balance because you'll need more than one slider to more than double your expansion and positioned vertically, your contact points are all on the same level.
An alternative is leafed ends, so the base/original table would remain the same but you could add on leaf ends, you can either have them hinged and permanently attached or be small stand alone tables that are add-ons. You'd need to make clean edges on the original table or route out the reverse of the rounded corners into the leaves/add-ons.