ÿþ<html> <head><title>Trestle Table</title></head> <body background="bg02.png"> <center><font size=5><b><i>Trestle Table</b></i></font><hr> </p> <table border=0 width=100%><tr><td> <a href="trestle1.jpg" target="new"><img src="trestle1a.png" border=0 align="left"></a>I made a conjecturally period table about three years ago. I had a bright idea that if the legs could fold in (hinges), it would be delightfully convenient. So the legs hinged that they might fold in half lengthwise, then hinged to the table so they could both fold in and lay flat. A stretcher held the legs apart when the table was set up. It looked nice, but the legs were wobbly. Somehow that table always managed to elude photographs...</p> It definitely packed neatly. However, it was too heavy to transport with the legs attached. So I removed the legs from the table, and replaced them using hinges with removeable pins. Each leg had four hinges; two on each side. This worked out just fine for transport, but it took about ten minutes to set up and the legs were still wobbly. I tried all sorts of things to stablize the table but nothing worked. I knew I had to replace the legs entirely, but I'd put a lot of work into them & they looked nice...</p> Looking around at period sources, I decided to go for the sawhorse-style trestle table. In a pinch, I bought a pair of ready-made wooden sawhorses at Home Depot for $15 each on the way to an event. I was so impressed with how sturdy the table was--I could bang on it, shake it, use it for a polka stage...nothing would move it! There's definitely something to be said for sticking to original designs.</p> When I came home, I took the sawhorses apart and turned the legs upside-down. I cut a scrap piece of 1/4" plywood into a more period shape to replace the brace. To be on the safe side, I did cut a block to further help support the legs, since I had turned them upside down and possibly lost some structural integrity. The block that I cut was from a 2"x4", six inches wide and on an 18º angle. This project was stained with a blend of Minwax "Provencial" and "Red Mahoghany". The result is similar to the Minwax "English Chestnut" but with more of a brown undertone, rather than red. </p> As for transport and packing, the trestles (legs) do not break down, but they stack nicely and are light weight. The table does not take up much more room then it did before, and it is rock solid. The table top does not fasten down to the trestles, though it would be reasonably simple to do. However, I rarely need to move it once it is set up and I prefer to leave it as is. On uneven ground, I can put a block under the table top, on top of one trestle. This keeps the table sturdy but levels the table, and the block is not easily seen. Completed June 2009.</p> <hr> </p> <i>Click on thumbnail to enlarge image.</i><br> <center><table border=0><width=900> <tr> <td align="center"><a href="trestle1.png"> <img src="trestle1.png" width=200 border=0></a></td> <td align="center"><a href="trestle2.jpg"> <img src="trestle2.jpg" width=200 border=0></a></td> <td align="center"><a href="trestle3.png"> <img src="trestle3.png" width=200 border=0></a></td> </tr></table> </p> </center> <hr> <b><i>Period examples of this style trestle table:</b></i></p> <a href="http://www.silkewerk.com/images/luttrell2.jpg">The Luttrell family at dinner from the Luttrell Psalter (British Library MS Add. 42130, fol. 208), c. 1325-1335</a><br> <a href="http://visualiseur.bnf.fr/ConsulterElementNum?O=IFN-8100129&E=JPEG&Deb=10&Fin=10&Param=C">Atreus' revenge, De casibus (BNF Fr. 229, fol. 16v), c. 1435-1440</a><br> <a href="http://expositions.bnf.fr/fouquet/grand/f108.htm">St. Mary Madeleine from the Book of Hours of Étienne Chevalier, ca. 1455</a><br> <a href="http://visualiseur.bnf.fr/ConsulterElementNum?O=IFN-8100107&E=JPEG&Deb=98&Fin=98&Param=C">Tristan and Dinadan at the house of Pelinier, Tristen de Léonois (BNF Fr. 102, fol. 179v), c. 1470</a><br> <a href="http://visualiseur.bnf.fr/ConsulterElementNum?O=IFN-08005795&E=JPEG&Deb=1&Fin=1&Param=C">Hero, Ovid's Heroides (BNF Fr. 873, fol. 125v), 15th-16th century</a><br> <a href="http://visualiseur.bnf.fr/ConsulterElementNum?O=IFN-08100449&E=JPEG&Deb=20&Fin=20&Param=C">Embalming of Alexander's body, History of Alexander the Great (BNF Fr. 711, fol. 41v), 15th-16th century</a></p> <i>Many thanks to <a href="http://www.larsdatter.com/index.html">Karen Larsdatter</a> for helping me with research!</i></p> <hr> <a href="http://www.housebarra.com">Home</a></p> <a href="/projects">Projects</a></p> </center> </body> </html>