Butterfly Leaf Dining Table 9 - Designing and Installing the Butterfly Leaf

[@tomlagatol4448]

I really enjoy your style of furniture building. I'm also a pretty big Festool fan... Between you and Matt Cremona I'm really enjoying more and learning from you guys....Thanks!

[@GuysShop]

+Tom Lagatol Thanks Tom! Glad you are able to pick up a tip or two from these videos.

[@theLiveBrand]

What a true craftsman. I saw times where Guy could use a router and run the risk of boogering it up but he takes no shortcuts. Very impressive!

[@JD_Fidler]

The leaf mechanism is awesome! Glad to see you went with the matching splines. Another good series of videos. Thanks for sharing!

[@GuysShop]

+JD Fidler Thanks again JD! The matching splines made the most sense in the end.

[@billfromelma]

Hey Guy. I guess being fussy really pays off. With that said, you said you were lucky. No luck involved just being "fussy" with your measuring. The table is really coming out awesome. No rush, but I can't wait to see the grain "pop" with the finish. Really a great job!

[@GuysShop]

+billfromelma Thanks Bill! The finish is almost done. One more coat on the top I think.

[@brucescott3183]

From a guy who thinks he is pretty good in the wood shop I just got “schooled”. Your a terrific craftsman and thanks for sharing your tips and expertise! I think I may try this table I’m trying to build up my confidence.

[@matt_williams1015]

Looking good, that leaf mechanism is real slick!

[@GuysShop]

+Matt Williams Hey Matt! It came out well, and was a lot easier to figure out the measurements than I thought it would be.

[@charlescafferata8531]

Hi Guy, I used your butterfly leaf video as a model and inspiration when I built my own. With a few tweaks it looks and works real fine. Thanks Charie

[@GuysShop]

That's awesome Charles!

[@ianrose2823]

Looks great Guy. Can't wait to see the finished product. I built a solid maple table a year and a half ago , wish I waited to make yours.

[@GuysShop]

+Ian Rose Thanks Ian!

[@GarageWoodworks]

Love that mechanism for the leaf. Really looking good!

[@GuysShop]

+GarageWoodworks Thanks Brian! Now that's it's complete, I have to figure out what to with the next 3 months of weekends....

[@JayBates]

+GuysWoodshop Tiger maple high boy carved from a single stump. chop chop.

[@GuysShop]

HaHa. I'll get right on that Jay!

[@thewoodworkingteen]

Guy..that table came out great! Always love it when you have a lot of pieces mating in the end and it comes out darn near perfect!

[@GuysShop]

+Riley Dale Thanks Riley. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then. HaHa.

[@thewoodworkingteen]

Something I hear all too often from my father...lol

[@GuysShop]

+Riley Dale He sounds like a very wise and worldly man....

[@jdawg0828]

Every time I feel great about my woodworking skills, I find a video like this and realize my work is crap. :-)

[@GuysShop]

Oh, come on now, I'm sure you've got some great skills!

[@HovingtonInstruments]

The leafs turned out great!!!! The whole thing looks amazing and can't wait to see it with the finish on..Happy sanding!

[@GuysShop]

+Tomy Hovington Hey Tomy!Thanks, and I appreciate the nice comment ad your support. It is actually finished and hope to have it in the house complete tomorrow.

[@danlynch1154]

Guy this is beautiful and I know your finish will be superb. I look forward to seeing it when your have it done. Your precision is something I so admire. Thank you.

[@GuysShop]

+Dan Lynch Thanks for the kind words Dan, I sincerely appreciate it.

[@JonDunnmusician]

Thank you for this extremely clear video- inspired me to buy a new slide rule

[@KSFWG]

Just absolutely wonderful! Such precision and attention to detail coupled with the grace and touch of an artist. Thanks for the video, Guy. I wish you all the best for 2016.

[@GuysShop]

+KSFWG Thnaks Dave! Happy New Year to you too!

[@MattLaneWoodshop]

Such a slick design! looks great!

[@GuysShop]

+Matt Lane Hey Matt! Thanks!

[@Cactusworkshopchannel]

Awesome, it's looking fantastic. Very interesting explanation of the butterfly leaf!

[@GuysShop]

+Cactus! workshop Thanks, I know you wanted to see the inlay pink, but I kept it natural.

[@Cactusworkshopchannel]

+GuysWoodshop hahah! one can't get everything he wishes :P

[@frifrafrey]

what a beautiful job. I take some ideas from your desing. thanks for share

[@BrianMcCauleyDesign]

Guy, this looks absolutely fantastic! Great work!

[@GuysShop]

+Brian McCauley Thanks Brian!

[@MyGarageWoodshop]

fantastic build! the leaf folding underneath table...pure genius! I'm gonna havta copy you someday

[@GuysShop]

+My Garage Woodshop Thanks Rod! Butterfly leaf tables have been around for a long time. Just not very common I think. Feel free to copy away!!!

[@MRrwmac]

Absolutely astonishing that the leaf was sooo close to being perfectly level to the side halves. A testament to your attention to detail, check-double check-triple check (that I know you did off camera haha) which made it (as you said, no surprise) come together so perfectly! Congratulations! Excellent and beautiful work! I wish you all the best for 2016.

[@GuysShop]

+MRrwmac Thanks Mac! Actually it was the first time it was all assembled when I checked for flatness. I expected it to be off a little bit near the hinges, and was very pleasantly surprised! Thanks again, and have a Happy New Year!

[@davidcable1]

The leaf mechanism is really slick Guy. I like it! Happy New Year!

[@GuysShop]

+Scott Cable Thanks Scott! Happy New Year!

[@rogeliorodriguzlara2117]

Excelente work and perfect explanation, saludos from Mexico

[@christobar]

Love watching you build this piece!

[@GuysShop]

Thanks chiggymonkey! Is that your real name? Haha

[@christobar]

+GuysWoodshop Ha, it is not :) Some day I'll get a real youtube account name.

[@MauriceBlok]

Awesome job Guy the leaf and all.. oh boy! Also, nice decision on the Walnut splines, I think, nothing to dominant but still a nice little detail. Now its finishing time :-) Happy New Year Guy!!

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Maurice! Have great 2016!

[@MoPoppins]

You're such an excellent craftsman. Gorgeous work!

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Mo!

[@vijiid]

Thank you so much! It turned out great!

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

This is coming together beautifully Guy, craftsmanship at it's finest :-) Nice shirt too

[@GuysShop]

+The ShavingWood Workshop Tommy P. in the house! Thanks Man. And it's my new favorite shirt....

[@batbawls]

Mind blown. This is extremely attractive!

[@GuysShop]

Thanks John!

[@MrRsg99]

Guy, looking really good! I really enjoy watching all your videos. Thank you very much for sharing and please continue. I can not even imagine how much time and effort it must take to put these videos together. Have a safe and Happy New Year!!!

[@GuysShop]

+Bob Gellenbeck Thanks Bob! Have a happyNew Year!

[@maarirs12894]

Incredible work!

[@GuysShop]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@FranksDIY]

Love the Table. Going back on some of your builds lol

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Frank!

[@joefinn7183]

absolutely beautiful. How does the bottom slide I wonder. Incredible wood working skills. You are for sure a master of your craft.

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Joe! The base doesn't move at all. Just the top pieces slide out of the way.

[@melo1710]

Awesome build Guy, Im doing a drop-leaf walnut table ( first one) this was very informative and well presented. your teaching skills are very much appreciated thanks. ( new sub)

[@GuysShop]

Thanks so much for watching and welcome to my channel!

[@120Livi]

looking forward to seeing the colour you picked for the splines

[@GuysShop]

+Livi120 I'll never tell. HaHa.

[@120Livi]

+GuysWoodshop just finished watching, not what I'd suggested but the right choice I think having seen it.

[@GuysShop]

They blend in really well and you have to be looking for them to see them.

[@woodeffectmarcinwyszecki1206]

hello, I would like to thank you for this movie. I used your detailed comments in my own implementation. Thank you.

[@isaaczeitoun7767]

Hi Guy, you've inspired me to make my family dining room table. Yours looks stunning! Not sure if you monitor your comments. If so, would appreciate you letting me know what hardware you recommend for the leaf mechanism?

[@hca1945]

Hi Guy! I watched all 10 of your butterfly dining table videos last night! I've been looking for a design that I would like to build for a while, and fell in love with your table. I would prefer to use solid wood in place of the veneered plywood, and would appreciate any tips you could share to accomplish that, especially how to compensate for wood movement. Any help is sincerely appreciated. Thanks again for inspiring me!

[@GuysShop]

Hey Howard, You could easily use solid wood for the top, however there is no way to do the solid wood framing around it, as it would pull apart over time from expansion.

[@thepoplarshop]

So you made a quick drilling jig.......out of walnut ! That's one nice jig ! LOL ! Just bustin' your chops buddy. Someone has to leave a goofy comment, so why not me? Table is freakin' nice ! Keep up the great work buddy !

[@GuysShop]

+MrBigerock Hey, it was just laying around so I grabbed it. What the heck else am I going to do with such a small cutoff, right? Thanks for the nice comment Eric, and have a great 2016. Looking forward to all the videos that will come out of the new shop....

[@codykniffen]

Love it! Great video as always.

[@GuysShop]

+Cody Kniffen Hey Cody! Thanks dude!

[@compubyte2010]

Okay, I"m' confused ( nothing unusual there :) I must have missed it? but don't understand what all that was about @ 11:11 when you did the corner piece in the middle of the edge?? not sure why it was a space there to begin with? Beautiful table.. My grandfather owned a furniture store Years ago in Maine ( Moosehead furniture ) and our family table had a flip-up leave in the middle .. I was thinking of making one like he did. .but no idea on how to do that middle piece .. I see what you did. so I guess it's doable .. But . I"m still thinking of doing a DOUBLE leave .. One under each side.. But full length no cut in the middle.. just make it so the leave unfolds from underneath and flips up.. slide the table together.. and maybe a 2nd one on the other side to flip up? I"m sure that didn't make much sense? but taking your leave.. and leaving it solid with no split in the middle .. and make it fold to the left or right under the table. and hook up there. push a lever under the table to loosen the leave and swing it up into the table . least was my original idea, till I saw this.. GREAT TABLE !!!..

[@NirvanaWoodWorksbyJanie]

Do you have links for the hardware used for this build? Thanks for the awesome project videos!

[@alessandrostilo4973]

Beautiful work, you could have the mesauremant?

[@hugopenapicon8505]

muy ingenioso no veo como funcionan las dos orillas

[@pauladeibler6296]

I have an old butterfly table gifted to me by an older gentleman. I dont know much about it other than it has some beautiful widdeled legs and lovely detailing. I refinished the top, but the butterfly leaf (when closed) flaps open, like there us nothing holding it sandwiched together when it is upside down under there. Any suggestions on how I can correct this or fix it?

[@conraddelia8573]

you are top notch. Guy. Thanks for the video.

[@GuysShop]

Tanks Conrad!

[@tamaselkan8902]

The table is masterpiece. Happy 2016 Guy! I am looking forward to your next project.

[@GuysShop]

+Tamás Elkán Thanks Tamas! Happy New Year to you and your family!

[@henrysworkshop7477]

Good call on the splines :)

[@GuysShop]

+Henrys Workshop Thanks Henry!

[@katrinaennamorato6695]

How did you come up with the 5 1/4" dimension for the pivot pin?

[@edstengel2495]

I really appreciate the planning that has to go into your projects and the way that you implement that plan. Can you tell me, did you design the table yourself or did you get the plan from another source? Great job on the splines, I think you made the right choice to use walnut. To me, part of the art of woodworking is sometimes being able to hide the structural details of a project in order to preserve the beauty of the wood. Using the walnut accomplished that. Great job.

[@GuysShop]

+Ed Stengel Thanks Ed! It was my design, and no plans were used. I just kinda build things most of the the time. I did make a scale model and a few rough sketches to cement some dimensions but that's about it.

[@gaberhamthinkin]

Where did you source the rod and bushings from? What are the exact terms/dimensions for those pieces you used? Thanks for the great content!

[@Frankengruvin]

How did you figure the measurements/placements of the leaf pivot mechanism?

[@IsaacRamos-r6t]

Which hinges do you use for the extensions? Thank you.

[@1313rosey1313]

Can you do two leafs also this way?

[@mel-robgz2566]

I love how your middle table folds and does not show the hinge. What type of hinge did you use and how did you do it? I would love to learn on how you did it.

[@luke9822]

It's called a butterfly leaf, if you want to do some searching around for other videos that might go into more detail on the design rather than the fabrication aspect, like this video.

[@jostedTJ]

Se ve muy bien. En algun sitio o pagina de internet, tienes planos de como hacer la mesa del video. Le mostre el video al un carpintero vecino pero se le complica hacer la mesa desde cero. Gracias

[@davidcharpinel7946]

Serviço excelente. Parabéns.

[@scottwalmsley3393]

another great instalment guy and very well explained as always, table looks great can't wait to see the finish on it love the butterfly leaf. you made it look so simple but I know from experience it's not, what finish are you using?...many thanks scott

[@GuysShop]

+scott walmsley Thanks Scott! I used semi-gloss Arm-R-Seal on it. It's just about done.

[@Aheitchoo]

Fantastic

[@GuysShop]

Thank you so much 😀

[@nguyenminhtri3338]

Thanks for sharing your detail

[@TeamProsperity]

How did you hinge the two halves of the leaf together?

[@Growsmile77]

I bought a extendable table but the middle leaf can't be stored under the table. It come in one big piece. I don"t have extra space to store the middle piece. How can I make it to fix under the table ?

[@dsddala467]

Where do you source the butterfly leaf mechanism?

[@efrenleon4313]

Excelente video

[@omarricardocamposchong2642]

Amazing! good job!

[@woodandmetalandstuff]

And don't forget to ....sand, lol, nice work mate, Cheers

[@GuysShop]

+Paul Dove Hey Paul! Thanks!

[@hardnox6655]

Nice job Guy. The table looks awesome. That butterfly hinged leaf is a great touch. Those splines turned out great. I'll bet Mrs. Guy is chomping on the bit waiting for you to finish this project. Will you be making the 8 matching chairs? :)

[@GuysShop]

+Hardnox Thanks! The table is ready for the last coat of finish, and will coming in the house soon. And unfortunately my wife has decided on some store bought chairs. I don't think she wanted to wait for me to make them. HaHa.

[@hardnox6655]

Those store bought chairs will be crap compared to your table. The wife will bring them home and you'll immediately need to strip, fix and refinish them. You know that's true. Ha ha.

[@GuysShop]

+Hardnox We already have them, and they don't look too bad. But they are crap be cause I didn't make them. HaHa

[@hardnox6655]

GuysWoodshop I recommend that you handle this democratically, in other words... let your subscribers vote on the level of chair crappiness via a separate video. 1) If they are voted totally crappy then it's the burnpile for them, or 2) mediocre crappy then they need to be placed along the wall away from your beautiful masterpiece of a table.. :) Just a suggestion. Haha!

[@mitchwoodwork]

+GuysWoodshop haha, nice! Did you buy carvers for the table ends? if not, then there's a nice project - two chairs are quicker to build together than building one twice over. of course they would make the store bought ones look worse, but you could always stencil "store bought" on them, just to maintain your reputation with dinner guests!

[@joecopus8873]

Very nice,did you use a balance veneer.if not did it stay true.thanks Joe .

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Joe! Yes it is balanced. Walnut on one side and ash on the other.

[@guygunzberg2382]

At about 8:00 minutes in Video #9 you extend the sliding support pieces under the butterfly to level it. But in Video #10, after these support pieces are screwed to the two sliding leafs, they don't project beyond each leaf, and therefore can't help to level the butterfly. How, then, does the unfolded butterfly stay level and even with the sliding leafs? Is it only supported by the aligning pins? And echoing the others, I applaud your excellent work and tutorials.

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Guy! The pins hold the leaf level with the top after it's extended.

[@guygunzberg2382]

Many thanks! That's what I guessed. Regards...

[@bahdiangnongsiej7902]

You 've got new subscriber here!!

[@dankeene9879]

Beautiful table Guy, how did you determine where to put the pivot for the butter fly leaf?

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Dan! I actually just guessed. I made a mock up and moved it around until it worked. The magic number it worked out to was 1/4 of the total width of the base from the center line.

[@MathewCohenProject]

It took me a few minutes to work out your measurements (after being confused for a few days). It looks like your 5.25" is not taken from 1/4 of the width of the base (33.75"), but from the finished width of the table top of 42"... given that 5.25 is 1/8 of 42. I just wanted to clarify that in case someone stumbles upon these videos looking for the answer to the "where do I put the leaf pivot point" question that I and so many others in the internet have had. Thanks for this series! I've watched it a bunch in preparation for my first dining table build. I'm going with a equalized hidden butterfly leaf design that I cobbled together in CAD from seeing what others have done, including yourself. Again, thanks!

[@christinecopus5967]

Thanks for that, only I didn't see you use balance veneer! Joe

[@GuysShop]

If you watch #7 in the series, it shows how I laminated shop sawn veneer to both sides of the top.

[@FDAtY]

:What a nice work guys, but I have a question, how do thoes pins call? 9:52

[@ronaldlight7578]

Guy, hardware source for the butterfly leaf hardware? Ron

[@shaz782]

Hi Guy what hinge did you use on the fold.

[@gpfan2791]

Great series, thanks!

[@GuysShop]

Thanks!

[@Violinks]

Great project and excellent craftsmanship. I'd like to build a similar table for my deck. Do you know were I can buy the butterfly hardware in stainless steel?

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Rob! Unfortunately I don't know where you can find them in SS.

[@miguelriego9254]

Congratulations. Is there any way to get the plans or a construction manual? Thanks

[@GuysShop]

Unfortunately I don't have plans for this table.

[@lifessimplesolutionsllc232]

Guy, I was so inspired by this table that I've built the same table using Cherry wood. I do have one question: With the table top halves riding 1/8" above the frame, what supports the leaf 1/8" above the frame on the side opposite the pivot pin? Thanks - Dan

[@GuysShop]

Hey Dan. They rest upon the slides themselves as they are long enough in the back

[@rongoldberg8174]

Guy, I really enjoy your videos. What finish are you thinking of for the table you just completed. Would love to see you try Watco Danish oil first and then something more durable (like a wipe on poly) on top. Thanks, Ron in MCLEAN VA

[@GuysShop]

+Ron Goldberg thanks for the nice comment Ron! Actually the the finish is on already. I my put one more coat on the top yet. I used a semi-gloss Arm-R-Seal, and it came out great!

[@agustin4764]

excelente video todos los dias se aprende algo nuevo

[@GuysShop]

¡Gracias! Me alegro de que te gustó y pudimos tomar algo lejos de ella.

[@MikeKapotsy]

Guy, looks absolutely beautiful! You're doing an awesome job on this dining table. I love the mechanism for the leaf, is that an original design? Very cool. Also, you had my heart racing when you were pounding in those alignment pins, I could have swore you hit the edge of the table once! Yikes! Nice work.

[@GuysShop]

+Mike Kapotsy It's been done before, so I don'y know if I would say original. However the mechanical parts were something I came up with. And yes, I did ding it with the hammer and created a very small dent. It came right out with a little steam from an iron. Thanks for watching and the nice comment Mike!

[@Hoss_1966]

Very nice job, but I have 1 question, how did you decide the 5 1/4" from center pivot point. I am looking at making an Altar, and it is only 28" wide,

[@GuysShop]

Thanks! It was a trial and error process with several scraps of wood clamped to the cross member. Just had to play with it a while until I got it to work properly.

[@Hoss_1966]

ok thanks, I was hoping for an easier way, haha

[@GuysShop]

Those butterfly hinges were purchased from Lee Valley. I know Rockler also sells them as well as Woodcraft.

[@Hoss_1966]

we have a lee valley, only hidden type hinge I find on their site is barrel hinges, hopefully they work, thx

[@GuysShop]

Yes, barrel hinges, not butterfly hinges. those are the ones.

[@47Dodge]

I love the design. What are the dimensions of the table?

[@GuysShop]

I believe it is 42" x 72" closed. The leaf adds an extra 18"

[@ADH531]

Where do I find a butterfly hinge? Mine has broken

[@stevecollins9450]

Great video and explanation, Guy. Love the center leaf mechanism. What brand doweling jig is that? Would you purchase it again?

[@GuysShop]

+Steve Collins Thanks Steve! The brand is Task. I think it was about $30 20 years ago when I bought it. It works well as long as you keep a reference face. I would love to have the Dowel Max jig however. It looks like a great tool.

[@stevecollins9450]

+GuysWoodshop I hear ya on the Dowel Max, Guy.

[@seanmontague2991]

Guy, how do you lock the leaves together and prevent them from moving when the table is in use?

[@GuysShop]

I was going to use sash locks, however after building it I found it was unecessary. The top is heavy and the pins are fairly tight so it doesn't pull apart unless you want it too.

[@peterleach9062]

Do you have the name of the place where you got your mechanism for the butterfly leaf on your table and also what do you do to put a skirt on the sides of the leaf's ?

[@GuysShop]

Hey Peter. The butterfly hinges were purchased from Le Valley. The rest of the parts where purchased from Amazon.com. One of the videos show how I cut and attached the rails to all table top pieces.

[@karimtahaabdelrahman3126]

Awesome video. Trying to do a similar table but have the extensions on each side rather than the middle. I have a question though. How do you connect both of the top plates together. What hinge are you using to allow it to lock into place at 180 degrees? I'm having trouble with this hinge, and it seems like you didn't include it in the video :( Thank you in advance

[@GuysShop]

Thanks! There is a separate video that shows installing the hinges in the leaf.

[@karimtahaabdelrahman3126]

GuysWoodshop which video is that? if you don't mind linking it then that would be great!

[@tooljunkie555]

looks great guy!love watching u work. "nice and precise"..i was rooting for ebony splines but to each his own...well,,it is your own..haha! anywaus looks beautiful man looking forward to seeing what u do in the new year!happy 2016

[@GuysShop]

+Joe basementwoodworking Thanks Joe! I wish you all the best in 2016!

[@tooljunkie555]

GuysWoodshop thanks guy! Appreciate that.

[@MartyBacke]

Looking fantastic Guy. Love that leaf mechanism, use of bushings, etc. Did you work all that out, is this derived from some existing plans? The corner splines turned out nice. I didn't hear any expletive when you were pounding in the alignment pin and you missed :-( I winced, for whatever that's worth ;-) Hopefully you were able to iron it out.

[@GuysShop]

+Marty Backe Thanks Marty! The leaf mechanism was something I worked out myself. There are quite a few designs out there, however I wanted to do my own over engineered take on it. It's not any fun otherwise, right? HaHa. The parts were actually pretty cheap, less than $20 on amazon. And the splines came out really nice. you have to look for them to see them. Not invisible by any means, but nothing to draw your eye to. And yes, I did ding the table with the hammer. It was a very small dent, and it came out really easy with an iron and a little steam.

[@peterleach9062]

You are talented thanks for your video

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Peter!

[@sauliusp.2721]

GuysWoodshop

[@ismailks4704]

What is the exact name of male-female pin

[@mikerobertson1517]

Beautiful table, I love the tricky mechanism and the curved leg braces. I was meaning to ask, are you a Hoosier too as your normal attire seems to have blue horseshoes on it.

[@GuysShop]

+Mike Robertson Thanks Mike! Yes, I sure am. I live in Indy on the northeast side of town.

[@mikerobertson1517]

+GuysWoodshop I'm down here in Bloomington, it's great to know Indiana is being represented so well!

[@dennishaines8540]

Hello Guy. Table looks great Who do you purchase your parts from for the leaf?

[@GuysShop]

Thanks Dennis! I purchased the leaf hinges from Lee Valley

[@walterrider9600]

thank you

[@montewoods4766]

where will you place the ebony accents?

[@GuysShop]

+montewoods No ebony accents on this piece. Just the maple inlay. Maybe next time as I really do like the look of ebony accents.

[@karimtahaabdelrahman3126]

Hello Can you please link me to the video where you install the leaf's hinges please.

[@GuysShop]

It's in video #8 of this series

[@karimtahaabdelrahman3126]

Can't believe I missed that. Thank you!

[@Scarlov87]

what kind of hinge did you used for the table surface?

[@GuysShop]

Those are leaf hinges. They can be obtained for just about any woodworking supply house. I got these from Lee Valley

[@beneditoalvesdasilva]

Otima ideia muito bom adorei mande mais. abraço

[@GuysShop]

obrigado. há mais vindo!