As you decide which table base you’re going to choose for your table top, you might be wondering, is there a standard screw hole pattern for mounting plates? Do all table tops attach to table bases in the same way? The TL;DR answer is, no there is not a standard. Click the link to keep reading for the longer explanation.

Especially when creating multiple table tops for a project like a restaurant or hotel, installers want to pre-drill holes in table tops to speed up the process of mounting the tables to bases. This makes it easier and faster for installers to attach the table top and table base, as they can theoretically just line up the holes and insert screws. If you want to pre-drill your table tops, we recommend you order sample bases to test, and use the samples as a template for pre-drilling. We also recommend you opt for steel mounting plates where possible, as there can be minor variations between individual cast iron plates. Please make sure you reference your sample order, so we can make sure to send the same parts (otherwise pieces like mounting plates can sometimes change without notice).

We generally do not recommend you use a drawing or schematic as the basis for your pre-drilled holes, as there can be minor variations in mounting plates due to the ways in which they are manufactured (some are made from pressed steel, but some are also made from cast iron which can be less precise). There are many different styles of mounting plates available, and they can occasionally vary due depending on stock (if you are ordering multiple bases, we will make sure they all have matching parts, but there can still be some variations between different cast iron units). Some table bases and legs, like our Hamburg legs or B22T ADA base, have specially designed top plates for mounting close to the edge of a table top, so those plates especially won't match other table bases or legs. In some cases, like with our Bruni series table bases, the space between mounting holes can vary slightly between individual bases, due to the way the table bases are constructed and assembled.

What if you buy a table top that already has holes drilled in it? Well then you have two choices. You can either drill new holes to accommodate the new table base, or you can use what’s called a sub-top. A sub-top is a thin (~¾” thick) piece of plywood or MDF that you first glue to the bottom of the table top, and then screw the base into that sub-top. This is also useful for tables made from impermeable materials, like stone or cement, as you can avoid drilling into the brittle table top. It also helps to make laminate and hardwood tables marginally more outdoor worthy, because there won't be holes in the actual table top where moisture could seep in. Check out our guide to installing a sub-top for more information.

We do not recommend gluing the table base directly to the table top under any circumstances. When you glue the base to the table directly, it makes it very difficult to separate the table top from the table base if you need to tighten the table base hardware, troubleshoot a problem, or move the table to a different location. The table can also become detached if it’s glued improperly, or left outside in the weather.

As always, if you need specific information about our table bases, mounting plates, or installation procedures, feel free to contact our customer service team by sending an email to support@tablebases.com, or by calling 1-800-258-2320 during business hours.