Edgejoining 2x8 material

[Jennifer]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the Kreg Jig community, but I have built about half a dozen pieces from Ana White's website (love that place!).  I am building a new kitchen table this week, mimicing the design of her Tryde coffee table.  Her website is having difficulty at the moment, so I cannot hyperlink to it properly.  I'll post a link to the plan later.  Here's a photo I found in an image search.  :)  So picture this 36" tall, 52" long (beadboard to breadboard) and 36.25" deep.

 

So using this design, I'm making a counter-height kitchen table.  I wanted it to be a bit beefier looking, so I bought 2x8 boards and making the frame longer so there is less breadboard overhang.  Then I came here and realized it's recommended to use 6" or smaller for edge joining.  Oops!  Can I make it work with 2x8's if I use extra screws in my edge joins?

Her plan doesn't call for making the table top separately, but rather making the frame and then screwing each table top board down, one at a time...  I want the tabletop to be removable (rare as that will be, it's a nice feature)...  Am I crazy for wanting to make an edge joined tabletop out of boards this big?  Once FULLY assembled, the tabletop will be completely supported from the aprons, 4x4 legs and 2x2 support structure... 

Thoughts?

PS:  BTW, I am using cheap hemlock... ONLY because I was too nervous to make this out of a more expensive wood.  I've never worked with expensive hardwoods before.  I'm sure they're fantastic, but I wanted to "experiment" with cheaper wood first.  I'll use it for a while, then turn it into a workbench in the garage shop...  then do it again with a much nicer hardwood.  :-D

 

Updated:  Finished! (More photos in the comments below)

[Terry Tidwell]

Jennifer...beautiful work !! 

[Jens Jensen]

By looks of that table I would say you have been nominated Valedictorian and should proceed to hardwoods .Nice looking 4 sure

[Lyle Martens]

Looks like you put a lot of thought into this project.   Nice job!  My only recommendation for all who glue up table tops or other wide members out of wide lumber is beware.  Todays wood does have a tendency to cup even kiln dried lumber so when helping woodworkers glue up wide pieces I always recommend that wide boards are ripped to 3" to 4" maxium widths.   While you need to match grain a more stable piece will result.  The extra cuts, ripping, gluing will be rewarded in a stable  top. 

[John Harrison]

WELCOME Jen!

 

I would echo Jay's comment.  This is VERY important ANY time you join wood together.

"If I was doing this, I would definately pay attention to the way the grown rings run and alternate every other board so one is running up and the next down.  This will be added insurance against cupping in the table top and allow you to acheive a flat top that will have a better survival"

 

Always look at the End Grain.