A while back, someone asked a question about using breadboard ends on a table top. This just popped up in my email-

https://www.finewoodworking.com/project-guides/tables-and-desks/episode-5-breadboard-ends

 

 

Thanks, Lew!

I have used it on a couple small tables but nothing as large as a dining table. It is a little tedious making this joint in my opinion.

14 hours ago, Gerald said:

It is a little tedious making this joint

I've done a few but never been really satisfied with the end results (pun intended )

IIRC, I did a small one for a box lid. Just playing around. Trying to avoid an end grain joint. For a small box though, it wouldn't have been necessary. On second thought, I probably just glued it and hoped for the best. Hoping for the best is one of my go to techniques in more than woodworking. I'm on my third marriage.

First thanks for the link Lew, and your timing is impeccable…Thinking about the toy box lid to be sure it is strong. I was wondering if I needed to this joinery or would it be overkill. Plus not sure if 3/4 thick is to thin?

A 3/4" top should be plenty good. More to maintain flatness than for strength, a couple or three 1x4...or so.... attached to the lids underside might be advisable. You could get fancy and do a cross buck style. Like with breadboard ends though, you'd need to account for wood movement. 

Edited December 4, 20214 yr by Gene Howe

I will have to look up cross buck.

10 hours ago, KevTN said:

I will have to look up cross buck.

Here's a door with a cross buck. 

Thanks Gene

Those breadboard end joints were great back when waterproof glue was sketchy at best. Breadboards get a lot of moisture. With the advent of the type 3 glues probably not necessary. For that toy box lid how big is it ?

Paul

12 minutes ago, Masonsailor said:

With the advent of the type 3 glues probably not necessary.

I think with cross grain connections between the main table top and the end piece there could still be a problem with expansion and contraction.

If you use that type of joint and type 3 it’s not going to move for sure. Personally would not use wood for a breadboard these days anyway. 
Paul

9 hours ago, Masonsailor said:

Those breadboard end joints were great back when waterproof glue was sketchy at best. Breadboards get a lot of moisture. With the advent of the type 3 glues probably not necessary. For that toy box lid how big is it ?

Paul

It will roughly be 47” x 25”. I am kinda beginning to lean towards the crosscut that Gene mentioned.

I think it has been noted but to reiterate there is no way in the world that is a normal house you can stop wood movement. So gluing a board of any kind  to another cross grain WILL FAIL with any type of glue eventually. Now for small pieces of say 4 to 8 inches it is minimal and may last , but the size you want no it will not. For this you have to plan .

 

Some options: Glue only the center and a screw in a slot at both ends.

                      Glue one end and screw in slot at one end.

                      Use a dovetail slot to put the brace in and glue only at one end and the other end will "float" but still keep the top aligned .

On 12/2/2021 at 11:53 AM, lew said:

but never been really satisfied with the end results

Exactly  why I won't do them.

An unglued joint is going to get stuff in it and  that stuff will make the  gap bigger and it's just unseemly.

The fact is you can’t put them in the dishwasher which is a pain and they are hard to keep bacteria from growing in them. Better to include a vertical cabinet in the lowers to store the cutting boards.

Paul 

37 minutes ago, Masonsailor said:

The fact is you can’t put them in the dishwasher which is a pain and they are hard to keep bacteria from growing in them. Better to include a vertical cabinet in the lowers to store the cutting boards.

Paul 

I think I see the confusion here.

 

This breadboard is used in cooking/baking 

 

This breadboard refers to a method of finishing off a table top to cover the end grain and help keep it flat 

1 hour ago, lew said:

This breadboard is used in cooking/baking 

 

 

I dunno, this looks suspiciously like the paddle my Dad used to wield like a Samuri Warrior.  

11 hours ago, Gunny said:

looks suspiciously like the paddle

That'll work! Had one prominently displayed in my classroom and used it often.