What is the best way to brace 2 hardwood panels?

Coxy_DIY

G'day everyone,

I've been really inspired by all the table and furniture builds that I've seen as I've been researching doing my own. 

For my first big foray into DIY furniture I want to build an outdoor dining table using 2 of the 2200 x 600 Acacia solid oiled hardwood project panels and some steel legs. As the title suggests though, I'm looking for the best way to brace or join these 2 panels so that it is a single 2200 x 1200 tabletop.

Open to all suggestions and advice. Also, I am a complete Neewbie with no real prior experience doing this apart from building theatre flats.

Cheers!

Joel Cox

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Coxy_DIY. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about creating a table.

There's a couple of methods you could employ to join your two panels. The first is with a biscuit joiner and biscuits or, what would likely be more accessible, a dowelling jig and dowels. You'll also need at least a couple of 1200mm long sash clamps, PVA glue, a rubber mallet, a few 1100mm lengths of 90 x 30mm Pine and some 40mm timber screws.

I've created a couple of renderings that will hopefully aid you in the construction process. You'll start by drilling a series of corresponding holes down the thickness of the two panels using the dowelling jig. You must then glue the dowels into the holes and use the mallet to tap the two sections together. You can then clamp the pieces and, once secure, predrill and screw down the 90 x 35mm timber in three locations. The dowels will help align the panels so the join is seamless, but adding the additional timber will ensure the table top doesn't warp out of shape.

Once the glue is dry, you'll be free to add the legs of your choice.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
 

Mitchell