A quickie for someone looking for a way to extend the top on a hayrake table while being able store the leaves on board when they aren’t being used. Started from an existing model with a single piece top.
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My eye is drawn to the structure that anchors the legs just above the floor. I like the curved “crossbow” looking design. Is that an aesthetic choice, or is there more than meets my eye?
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It’s a very old design and it’s what gives the table its “Hayrake” name. The general design is credited to Sidney Barnsley. The larger table in the front in the first image was modeled for plans for the Hayrake table designed and built by Michael Pekovich. See: Video: Build a Hayrake Table - FineWoodworking
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Ahh, now I understand why the name is Hayrake - the vintage farm/garden tool.
Zackly.
I get the Hayrake part, but does one of them rotate and open? How do the extensions work?
The clue is in the name, Draw Leaf, the two extensions pull out from their storage position at each end of the table. Usually on a track that moves them up into position.
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That makes sense.
I can’t see that from the stretcher though.
The stretchers don’t move.
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After looking again, I do see the chunk of wood left in the center.
@Box is correct. The top of the table lifts slightly as the leaf is drawn out and then sets back down flush when the leaf is fully drawn. Here’s some views from a different draw leaf table I modeled.
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I don’t doubt that at all. But the mechanics of it look odd, I can’t see the leaf sliding back under the main top.
I get it you have to push it down!
It does but you have to lift the top to provide clearance.
Here’s my friend Olly demonstrating his.
Or do that!
You can’t push down because the center section of the top is resting on the leaf guides. You can see that in the last of my three images. You have to lift the top on the side where the leaf is being pushed in.
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It looked like from your model, the support might have been a fulcrum to lift the center section…
Of course that might prove to be inconvenient when you leaned on it and dumped the wine bottle on the center half.
True. Fortunately because of the way the runners are trapped, pushing down on the leaves won’t lift the top. Here’s a view with both leaves drawn out, the top and central top support removed.
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The one we have moves without the top being lifted. I grew up with it and know how it works in the back of my mind, but need to look at it again to be clear on the construction. From memory the leaves are on a slight pivot so you pull them out past the edge sort of at an angle then they drop into place and slide back to close the gap. All done in the joinery.
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I can see that on the expansion, but pushing the leaves back in…