How Does Self Storing Leaves Work?

In an effort to clear up some confusion that can go with self storing tables, we are providing a general list of table sizes, shape and styles where self storing works or does not work. Always keep in mind when you are choicing a table with self storing, there are two major factors in self storing:

  1. Pedestal or trestle base mounting plate size and spacing
  2. The length of the table slide required to accommodate the amount of leaves needed for the table.

Here is one example of a very common size table that gets ordered self store, but it cannot self store four leaves: 42″ x 66″ OVAL, 4 leaves. Most people have a tendency to think that the three leaf version can self store all three of the leaves, so it shouldn’t be a problem to store four leaves on a four leaf table, however this does not work because for a four leaf table, our slide is 12″ longer than on a three leaf table, which forces our table makers to move the slides closer together so they fit between the table skirts. Then there is not enough space between the slides to store more than two leaves.

Here is a compiled list of table styles, shapes, and sizes showing just how many leaves can be self stored:

LEG TABLES WITH RECTANGLE TOPS

  • 36″ x 42″, 42″ x 42″ and 42″ x 48″ cannot store any leaves
  • Leg tables operate very similar to trestle tables on larger sizes.

TRESTLE TABLES WITH RECTANGLE OR BOW END TOPS

  • 42″ x 60″ stores up to 4 leaves, ALL unskirted
  • 42″ x 66″ and 42″ x 72″ stores up to 4 leaves, 2 with skirts, 2 without
  • 48″ x 60″ stores up to 4 leaves, 2 with skirts, 2 without
  • 48″ x 66″ and 48″ x 72″ stores up to 4 leaves, ALL unskirted

TRESTLE TABLES WITH BOAT SHAPE TOPS

  • 42″ x 60″–1, 2, 3 and 4 leaf tables can only self store 2 leaves BOTH without skirts
  • 42″ x 66″ and 42″ x 72″–1, 2, 3 and 4 leaf tables can only self store 2 leaves, 1 with skirt, 1 without. If a 2, 3, or 4 leaf table is ordered with self store, the last leaf will be unskirted.
  • 48″ x 60″ stores up to 4 leaves, 2 with skirt, 2 without
  • 48″ x 66″ and 48″ x 72″ stores up to 4 leaves, ALL unskirted

SQUARE ROUND TABLES

  • ALL square round double pedestal tables can self store up to 4 leaves, 2 with skirt, 2 without.
  • NOTE: SQUARE OR ROUND TABLES CANNOT SELF STORE ANY LEAVES!

DOUBLE PEDESTAL TABLES WITH OVAL AND BANQUET TOPS

  • 42″ x 54″ stores up to 2 leaves, 1 with skirt, 1 without
  • 48″ x 54″–48″w leaf does not fit inside of a 54” long oval top
  • 42″ x 60″–1, 2 and 3 leaf oval tables store 2 leaves, 1 with skirt, 1 without
  • 42″ x 60″–1, 2 and 3 leaf banquet tables store 2 skirted leaves
  • 42″ x 60″–4 leaf table cannot store any leaves
  • 42″ x 66″–1, 2 and 3 leaf tables store up to 3 leaves, 2 with skirts, 1 without
  • 42″ x 66″–4 leaf table can store 2 leaves, 1 with skirt and 1 without.
  • 42″ x 72″–1, 2 and 3 leaf tables store up to 3 leaves, 2 with skirts, 1 without
  • 42″ x 72″–4 leaf table can only store 2 leaves, 1 with skirt, 1 without
  • 48″ x 60″–1, 2, and 3 leaf tables can only store 2 leaves, 1 with skirt, 1 without
  • 48″ x 60″–4 leaf table cannot store any leaves
  • 48″ x 66″–1, 2, and 3 leaf tables store up to 3 leaves, 2 with skirts, 2 without
  • 48″x 6″6–4 leaf table can only store 2 leaves, 1 with skirt, 1 without
  • 48″ x 72″ self stores up to 4 leaves, 2 with skirts, 2 without

DIAGRAM OF HOW SELF STORING WORKS

1) Side View of:
42″ x 66″ and 42″ x 72″ Trestle Table

Can store up to 4 leaves, 2 with skirt, 2 without

2) Side View of:
42″ x 60″ Trestle Table

Can store up to 4 leaves, ALL unskirted

3) Side View of:
48″ x 60″ Trestle Table

Can store up to 4 leaves, 2 with skirt, 2 without

4) Side View of:
48″ x 66″ and 48″ x 72″ Trestle Table

Can store up to 4 leaves,
ALL unskirted

8 thoughts on “How Does Self Storing Leaves In My Table Work?

  1. Patti Walecka says:

    We have a double pedestal table with two leaves stored inside. We had a dinner and extended the table and now we cannot get the table to close. We have the same mechanism that you show on your videos and we are wondering if you have any idea where we could look on this table to get it to close. Thank you so much for your time.

    1. David Schroeder says:

      If you are having trouble getting your table to close we recommend looking at the gears as the table shuts to see if any areas are causing a blockage. Another thing you can try is applying any silicone products to the gear slides. This helps loosen the gears back up to operate smoothly. Avoid getting the silicone on your table top as it may ruin your finish on the table.

  2. Hans keim says:

    I have just received my kitchen table model # 42722t-har-e1-pl8-10-964/b with no instructions on assembling, where my I get these

    1. David Schroeder says:

      Did you purchase this table from us? That model number does not match any of ours. If you did order from us please use our message form on our Contact Us page and provide your purchase order/number and we can help out from there.

  3. P. Zubert says:

    I am confused about the table sizing. Obviously there is one size before the leaves are in and another after the leaves are in. Are the sizes mentioned with the table pictures before or after the inclusion of the leaves.? If the size means it’s fully extended how do I find out the size without the leaves?

    1. Jared says:

      The way the sizes works for self storing in the article are all beginning sizes. When you add leaves, you will be extending that length by 12″ per leaf, so if you order a max load storing table for example at a 42w x 60l with 4 leaves stored inside, you would add 48″ in length to the table, making it 108″ maximum. Some tables have exceptions (like plank tops or butterfly leaf tables) for the leaf size. Plank tops will typically have 16″ leaves and butterfly leaf tables will be 18″.

  4. Brenda says:

    My table does not have gears. Is there something I can put on the sliding wood parts that collapse when I store the leaves to make the table easier to open and close?

    1. David Schroeder says:

      Our leg tables for example come with wooden glides that are used to open and close the table. I am unsure on where you would go about getting some since ours are built for the table that is being made. You may be able to search online for wooden glides and find something that works for you.

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