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Old table I have outside.
Probably from the early 1970's.
Extendable ends.
There appears to be mortise and tenon joints involved?
Thoughts on how to strengthen them?
Cheers!
This shows the tenon spreading...
It is a little difficult to see exactly what is happening in those close-up photos @Noyade, so another picture taken from a bit further back would really help. Even a quick sketch showing how the leg, stretcher and frame all connect would make it much easier to give you precise advice.
From what is visible, it looks as though the leg is not being drawn firmly into the joint with visible gaps. On some older tables, especially ones with removable legs, a long bolt runs through the face of the leg, through the joint and into the internal brace. Tightening a nut on that bolt effectively clamps the whole joint together and pulls the leg hard into it. Adding a through-bolt like that can often restore a surprising amount of rigidity without needing to pull the table apart.
At this stage though, it is a little difficult to tell how your leg is currently held in place, so one clearer photo or a simple diagram would let us guide you properly.
Mitchell
G'day @MitchellMc
Thanks for looking and helping.
And apologies for the photos above. I was on my back (not a good thing to do for me) looking up.
This morning I managed to pull it all apart.
More photos below. Need more, just ask.
There is a combination of air-nails, screws and a multitude of glued wedges in the construction.
Hard to explain but I think I need to remove that 'catapult runner' seen in the middle before I can remove one end.
Plus of course the screwed beveled corner piece.
For the glued wedges - a multitool?
See that you think.
Cheers.
Graeme.
Removing the small diagonal brace next to the leg is a good first step, @Noyade. Once it’s out, try a dry fit to see if the tenon slides fully back into place. If it does, a coat of polyurethane wood glue on the tenon and inside the mortise will give the joint a really strong bond. Clamping is important: sash clamps across the top of the table or ratchet straps between the legs can pull the tenon tight. Be careful not to overapply glue, as polyurethane expands as it sets. After the glue sets, reinstall the diagonal brace, which might need a new pre-drilled hole if the original hole is no longer perfectly aligned.
If the tenon won’t reseat properly, it could indicate the frame has shifted over time. In that case, you may need to carefully disassemble part of the frame to restore alignment.
Mitchell
Cheers mate.
Lunchtime assessment and waiting for the first installment of glue to dry.
"In that case, you may need to carefully disassemble part of the frame to restore alignment."
Prophetic thought @MitchellMc - that's exactly what's happening outside. The whole frame starting coming apart as I attempted to remove the ends. There are two tenons per leg.
The wedges - despite evidence of dripping PVA are doing nothing as far as strength is concerned.
It was not assembled with love or much accuracy. Markings show it was made in Cootamundra, NSW. Shame on you Cootamundra. 😁
Hence there is no value in this table, just nostalgia and the desire for a solid outdoor surface.
Old PVA glue...
Hardened/calcified Liquid Nail glue?
Is there a plate/bolt fitting which can be drilled/installed available, that can hold the joint better?
Cheers.
Hello @Noyade
I've had a good look and could not find a furniture corner table brace. The closest similar support piece I could find was the Zenith 50 x 15 x 1.8mm Tri Corner Brace - 2 Pack.
However, looking at your diagram, I believe you can achieve this same support using a ZENITH M10 x 150mm Hot Dip Galvanised Cup Head Bolts & Nuts which will need to be countersunk if you wish to hide it in the leg. I recommend using a Macsim 50 x 50 x 3mm M12 Galvanised Square Washer at the end of the bolt to create the bracing effect. My best advice is to make sure that the timber diagonal support piece is screwed in securely as it will be taking on added stress.
Eric
Cheers @EricL - I'll give that some thought.
In the end everything was glued/clamped and nails/screws replaced.
100% improvement in stability.
Back to it's 1975 glory. 😁
Something that tricked me - which I never noticed - terrible eyesight.
There were four tenons that were stapled.
Once I got that figured - smooth sailing.
Cheers.
Evening @EricL
"I've had a good look and could not find a furniture corner table brace"
I thought a lot about this last night. I measured the leg diameter and sourced an old piece of pipe that seemed a good match.
Cleaned it up with my wonderful little burnisher - and cut two 50 mm sections.
