These Table Top Fasteners provide a sturdy connection between the tabletop and apron, while still allowing the top to expand and contract with seasonal humidity changes. This prevents cracks from forming over time. The table clips slip neatly into a groove in the apron and attach to the tabletop with a single screw-simple, efficient and strong. Heavy gauge steel ensures a sturdy connection. Tabletop fasteners are screwed to underside of table and hook into a 3/32" slot on the apron, which allows for expansion and contraction of tabletop. Table top clips are made of extra heavy #A gauge cold rolled steel with a bright steel finish.
(8) Table Top Fasteners and screws
Brand | Rockler |
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Weight | 0.2000 |
Tech Spec |
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Hardware Type | Fasteners |
4.7 / 5.0
200 Reviews
great
wish I knew about these fasteners sooner. they worked great for a heavy, thic tabletop.
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Clips worked well, just what was needed to secure top to dresser.
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As advertised great product
Worked great, just what I needed !

Cedar deck table showing how the clips work.
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Great Buy
Worked like a charm only way I'll be fastening my table tops now

Added Oct 20, 2019
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Love them.
Love them. Really simplifies things.
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Perfect
Used these instead of pocket holes to fasten the top to a small end table. I took the advice of a poster on the web and centered the router track on the apron to 9/16ths of an inch. The 1/2" screws were long enough to hold the clips tight and yet not threaten coming out the top of the table. Holds well and looks professional.
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Table Top Fasteners
Worked like a charm! Great solution for joining table top to the base. It was so easy to do. I used the instructions here online and then also liked the recommendation of another review which suggested cutting the slot slightly below the instruction recommended line to provide a bit more tension to the connection.
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Excellent product
Simple, easy to install, and hold the table top tight.
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Solid fasteners. No issues.

Walnut end table.
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Table Top "Z" Fasteners
I used these fasteners on a table top to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood. They worked excellent! I highly recommend them!
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Start typing your question and we'll check if it was already asked and answered. Learn More
Browse 21 questions
Browse 21 questions
and 118 answers
Why did you choose this?
Rockler Store
A perfect, effective method for attaching table tops to bases. We cut out slots with a biscuit joiner. Clean, quick and efficient!
David B
on Dec 5, 2019
Obvious choice for application
Nancy E
on Nov 25, 2019
A perfect, effective method for attaching table tops to bases. We cut out slots with a biscuit joiner. Clean, quick and efficient!
David B
on Dec 5, 2019
Review several this looks to be the best way for my project. Farm table
Tom B
on Nov 27, 2019
How far from the top of the apron should the dado be cut for the fasteners to be inserted?
BEST ANSWER: While the clip is designed for 1/2 inch (8/16) from top, I make the dado 9/16 from the top of apron to keep the tabletop nice and tight against it. Made about 10 tables and a desk this way and have no problems with wood movement, i.e. no cracks. Table tops have been, walnut, cherry and birds eye maple. Legs mostly cherry. Good luck.
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- WILLIAM K on May 7, 2015
- Purchased on Apr 4, 2015
How far apart should you space these?
BEST ANSWER: 8-10 inches apart is recommended per the Rocker tech sheet
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- Inaccurate
- Andrew on Sep 19, 2016
- Purchased on Sep 8, 2016
Can you still use pocket holes to connect the table top boards together without it causing cracking? Using this product on the perimeter?
BEST ANSWER: Yes! You make a slot 1/4 inch down from the top of the frame and these fasteners mount to the table top at one end. Then the other end sits in the slot on the frame boards so that the top can expand and contract without stress. Be sure to put the fasteners on the inside of the frame so they remain out of sight!
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- Inaccurate
- David D on May 30, 2016
- Purchased on May 16, 2016
How far from the top of the apron to the slot?
BEST ANSWER: The bracket is 1/2 inch from the top of the apron to the slot. I make my slot 9/16 from the top of apron to insure a very tight fit. I have made 20 tables with multiple wood types using this bracket with no problems, i.e. no cracking due to wood movement. Best, Bill
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- WILLIAM K on Jun 17, 2015
- Purchased on Oct 24, 2014
How do you create the groove for the fastener?
BEST ANSWER: You can do it several ways, you can use a table saw, biscuit joiner, router, circular saw etc. I used my table saw.
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- Arnold D on May 6, 2016
- Purchased on Apr 14, 2016
What is the best style of table top fastener for high humidity outdoor climates? The circle 8 style (Rockler item no. 21650) or the Z style clip (Rockler item #: 34215 )? Do any of these come in stainless steel to avoid rust?

Table Top Fasteners

BEST ANSWER: Prefer the Desk Top fastener. Table I made was an inside table so don't know how good it would be for high humidity. Not sure if it stainless steel
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- Robert B on Feb 4, 2016
- Purchased on Apr 1, 2015
How deep do you make the grooves? IF you put them on the apron on the sides (not the ends) of the table, how do they allow for movement unless the slot is cut deeper than the fastener?
BEST ANSWER: I usually cut a continuous 3/8 " deep, at least, groove with a thin kerf blade on the tablesaw, top inside of the apron. Haven't split a top or had any fasteners pull out of the groove yet. Done a bunch of them this way.
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- Jim S on Dec 11, 2015
- Purchased on Sep 23, 2015
So if I use these to attach a table top will the customer be able to pick the table by the ends and move it without fear of the table top coming off the frame? Or flip the table sideways to fit it through a a doorway, etc?
BEST ANSWER: I don't believe the fastener is the real issue at hand. It would be the weight of the table and the screws used. Also a big factor is if the holes were oversized or split because of not predrilling will weaken the security of the fastener. Lastly the type of wood will play a huge part.. something soft like pine may not hold as well as a hardwood. If you had a large amount of the fasteners I myself would not be concerned, if a few on each end... I wouldn't trust it. I wouldn't fear the z clips bending at all, especially sideways.. best of luck
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- crossphyr on Jan 12, 2017
- Purchased on Apr 2, 2015
What size freud router bit as shown in " frequently bought together " would you use with plunge router to install the table top fasteners?
BEST ANSWER: The instructions call for a slot that is 3/32" wide x 5/16" deep but you can certainly make the groove a little wider. Something like an 1/8" wide like item #48003. If the table is not put together yet, you can always use a table saw to make the groove as well.
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- Rick H Staff on Jun 5, 2017
How long are the screws? I have a 1/2 table top (but I haven't planed it yet)
BEST ANSWER: I just measured a few spares. The screws are 5/8 inch long from the bottom of the head. The bracket is 1/16 inch thick. You cannot use this bracket with 1/2 inch top, 1/16 inch too long. You could buy shorter screws!
Brackets work fine, I have used them on 10 tables with not problems...3/4 inch tops.
Brackets work fine, I have used them on 10 tables with not problems...3/4 inch tops.
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- WILLIAM K on Apr 16, 2016
- Purchased on Apr 4, 2015
The fastener datasheet indicates the distance from the apron to the center of the drilled hole should be 9/16 however I believe it should be 11/16 or the slot needs to be cut deeper. As the diagram is, you're allowing 1 3/16" of room for a fastener that is 1 1/4". Am I missing something?
BEST ANSWER: I agree that the datasheet is incorrect. I don't think that the datasheet was available when I used these fasteners.
My suggestion is that you not try to measure to find the location of the mounting screws. After creating the slot, turn the table upside down. Position the base on the table top where you want it and clamp or otherwise secure it in place. Then position the fasteners, making sure that they do not bottom our in the slot so that the top can move. Mark the centers of the holes, drill the holes (don't drill through your top!) and install the fasteners with the screws.
I like these very much.
My suggestion is that you not try to measure to find the location of the mounting screws. After creating the slot, turn the table upside down. Position the base on the table top where you want it and clamp or otherwise secure it in place. Then position the fasteners, making sure that they do not bottom our in the slot so that the top can move. Mark the centers of the holes, drill the holes (don't drill through your top!) and install the fasteners with the screws.
I like these very much.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- ROBIN V on Aug 3, 2017
- Purchased on Aug 5, 2015
I'm building a 40"x96" Fancy X Farmhouse Table based on plans that are readily available on line. I'm concerned about table top cracking and I'd like to know how to attach the top securely. Which fastener would you recommend and where and how many should be installed? Just at the ends or also along the center support? On one or both sides of the center support?
BEST ANSWER: Do not glue top to base because that would not allow expansion and contraction with seasonal changes. I've used "table top fasteners" and have had no cracking problems because they allow some give for expansion and contraction. Install all around both the ends and both sides, but not the center support.
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- Inaccurate
- STEPHEN K on Feb 8, 2017
- Purchased on Mar 25, 2015
How far into the groove do you seat the clip? If it is a less humid time of year - I'm guessing you seat it in not all of the way so that the table can expand and clips can move deeper into the groove when it is more humid and wood expands? And conversely, if it is a more humid time of year you seat the clip tight into the groove so that when the wood contracts the clip has room to pull out a bit without falling out?
BEST ANSWER: I left an 1/8 inch of the clip out on the side that will expand and all the way in on the ends .
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- Nick on Nov 13, 2016
- Purchased on Apr 5, 2015
Why do you not offer in boxes of 100?
BEST ANSWER: Since the beginning of 2017 I have made two coffee tables, i side table, i 4 foot square kitchen table and am now completing two 30 by 60 tables. Only the first three use the fasteners as the last three have removable legs where the apron are attached permanently to the top. I buy only the amount of hardware I need for the projects I am working on.
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- Inaccurate
- Howard S on Mar 26, 2019
- Purchased on Mar 21, 2017
Also, do you think uses these clips is necessary when doing night stands using 2x4's as the top?
BEST ANSWER: Yes. Since there can be considerable seasonal movement in your top, the clips allow for this movement. Also you mention using 2/4 for your top, typical pine 2/4 for the lumber yard or home store is only SD(surface dry) thus subject to extreme movement since your night stand will be indoors. Good luck with you project.
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- JERRY on Feb 3, 2018
- Purchased on Feb 5, 2016
If I butt the rounded edges of my table top planks together and pocket hole screw them together, use the z clips around the perimeter and middle support, will this eliminate twisting, bowing and cracking?
BEST ANSWER: We use biscuits and strong wood glue between the plank. Its important to make sure your plank are very dry and acclimated before gluing up your top. We generally lay them out with a fan blowing on them to make sure they don't have any moisture, but kiln dried wood would be great! Also - be sure to alternate end grain direction on your plank when laying out the table. This will ensure the finished top does not bow as the grains will be working against each other to keep the top straight. We use the clips to attach the top to the aprons to give the top room to flex as it expands and contracts.
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- Daniel M on Feb 2, 2018
- Purchased on Sep 30, 2016
Is this steel outdoor rated? I want to use this clip in an outdoor project that will be exposed to harsh cold, wet, and wintery conditions.
BEST ANSWER: Although I can't say for sure, these clips appeared to be made of basic steel. They did not appear to have any other coating that would protect them from an outdoor environment. That being said, they were great for fastening my table top to the table frame.
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- Carroll B on Dec 12, 2017
- Purchased on Dec 13, 2015
How much weight will these clips hold if spaced out every ten inches on a 3 1/2' x 8' table? How many clips come in a pack?
BEST ANSWER: Used them on a 3 and a half by 8 and a half foot table but I only put them on the cross pieces to allow the table to expand. I only used one pack and they hold great. My table top is solid cherry so it's very hard. I think the strength of the wood is more important than the brackets. The brackets are very strong. I believe there were 8 clips in a pack.
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- Daniel M on Mar 14, 2016
- Purchased on Apr 3, 2015
I’m building a table out of white oak. The tabletop will be roughly 3.5’ x 7.5’. The tabletop itself is 1 3/4” thick. Would these be sufficient for a table that heavy?
BEST ANSWER: As much as I like uses the table top clips, your table top is ,in my opinion, to heavy. I would in stall at least three cross braces and mount the top to them. Also I would install recessed screw holes in the skirt to attach the top. This should keep the top from warping. This was the method I used for a farm table that I built for my daughter.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- James W on Oct 2, 2019
- Purchased on May 28, 2019
how do I place an order on line ?
BEST ANSWER: You can go to http://www.rockler.com/table-top-fasteners ... and the Rockler item number I bought was 34215
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- Inaccurate
- Paul S on Jun 23, 2017
- Purchased on Jun 28, 2015
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