One of the first things people notice about a table is the top. So besides selecting the best-looking wood, a great way to draw attention to the top is to add the right edge treatment. With the right choice, the edge profile helps complement the style of the table.
COMFORT FACTOR. While you might think that an edge profile is purely decorative, there's a little more to it than that. Softening the edge of a tabletop serves a practical purpose, as well. ' On dining tables and side tables, a profile eliminates the sharp edge that can be uncomfortable for your hands and arms to rub against. And for any type of table, a profile protects the corners from damage.
SIMPLE PROFILES. Since the top of a project is so prominent (and can be large), it's tempting to choose a complex profile created by an expensive "table edge" router bit. But usually, a better option is to select a smaller, simpler profile - one that blends well with the overall design instead of attracting too much attention.
The five profiles shown below are the ones I turn to most often to create comfortable and attractive edges. Best of all, each one can be made with just a common, inexpensive router bit or a simple cut at the table saw.
BULLNOSE
Perhaps the most common profile I use is the bullnose shown in the main drawing above. This rounded detail spans the entire edge of the tabletop. It's easy to change the look of a bullnose by varying the curve from a gentle radius on the edge to a complete half circle. And all it takes is a roundover bit.
Versatility is the main reason I like this profile. It looks just as good on traditional projects as it does on contemporary pieces. In the example shown here, the table has a lot of straight lines, so the subtle curve provided by the bullnose offers a good contrast without being a distraction.
COVE
Normally, you think of creating a profile on the upper edge of a tabletop where it will be most visible. So the cove profile shown on the accent table above may seem out of place. Here, the main job of the cove is to create a particular visual effect.
Routing a profile on the lower edge with a cove bit makes the top appear thinner when viewed from above. And it helps draw your eye along the narrow frame of the table. The simple, crisp curve works well on this Asian-inspired, contemporary table.
THUMBNAIL
Sometimes the form and function of a table edge profile work together. The drop-leaf table shown below is a good example. The outer edge of the table features a classic variation of a roundover called a thumbnail profile. It's at home on traditional as well as country-style projects. The rounded portion of the profile softens the edge, while the short shoulder creates a shadow line to add extra interest.
A thumbnail profile also serves double duty by forming one half of a rule joint. The thumbnail is routed on the straight edges of the main section of the top. The opposite profile (a cove) is routed on the mating edges of the folding leaves. The result is a practical and attractive connection between the moving parts of the top.
BEVEL
An edge profile often helps define the style of a project. And this is the case with the wide bevel profile used on the Craftsman-style sofa table below. Wide chamfers and bevels are hallmarks of this style of furniture. Here again, the profile is shaped on the lower edge. The bevel complements the taper cut at the bottom of the thick legs to help make the table appear lighter. A wide bevel profile like this can be shaped at the table saw.
OGEE
An ornate, traditional project, such as the example shown below, calls for an edge profile with the same degree of detail. The timeless ogee profile serves this purpose well. It can be used in combination with applied moldings to create a complex, built-up appearance. However, the simple shape lends itself for use with many styles.
If you keep these ideas in mind, the result is sure to be a top that’s attractive and complements the style of the piece.
