Why Every Woodworker Should Be Using Table-Top Fasteners (Especially Australian-Made Ones)

When it comes to building a solid, long-lasting table, most people focus on the timber, the joinery, and the finish. But professional furniture makers know there’s another crucial piece of hardware that often gets overlooked: table-top fasteners.

If you want your tables to stay flat, stable, and crack-free for years, these small metal clips are one of the smartest investments you can make—especially when you choose Australian-made fasteners like the ones available at Screw it Screws.

What Are Table-Top Fasteners?

Table-top fasteners (sometimes called Z-clips or figure-8 fasteners depending on the design) secure your tabletop to the base while still allowing the timber to move naturally.

Wood moves—every single day—expanding and contracting with humidity, temperature, and seasonal changes. A fixed, rigid attachment can force the wood to split or bow.

Table-top fasteners solve that problem by:

  • Holding the tabletop firmly in place

  • Allowing lateral movement

  • Preventing cracks and warping

  • Keeping the table structurally sound for decades

They’re a simple, elegant solution that every furniture maker should be using.

Why Timber Movement Matters

Even kiln-dried hardwood will expand across the grain. A 900mm wide tabletop can shift by a few millimetres across the seasons.

If you screw the tabletop directly to the apron, you create stress points that eventually lead to:

  • Splits and cracks in the top

  • Gaps forming at the joinery

  • Wobbly legs

  • Misalignment at the apron joints

  • Cupping or bowing in the top

Using table-top fasteners eliminates these issues by giving your tabletop the room it needs to move—without compromising strength.

The Advantage of Australian-Made Fasteners

At Screw it Screws, our table-top fasteners are 100% Australian made, ensuring quality, consistency, and reliability. Here’s why that matters:

1. Built for Australian hardwoods

Our local hardwoods—Jarrah, Blackbutt, Vic Ash, Spotted Gum—are dense and unforgiving. Cheap imported fasteners often bend, snap, or distort under tension.
Australian-made fasteners are engineered tough for the timbers we use every day.

2. Made with precision

Consistent stamping and shaping means:

  • Perfect fit

  • Smooth installation

  • No twisting or deforming

  • Long-term structural reliability

These aren’t flimsy clips—they’re built to last.

3. Supporting local manufacturing

Buying Australian-made means:

  • Supporting local jobs

  • Keeping metalworking industries alive

  • Ensuring top-tier quality control

  • Shorter supply chains and faster restocks

Woodworkers who choose local hardware almost always notice the difference.

Why You Should Use Table-Top Fasteners in Every Table Build

1. Prevents Damage Over Time

Fasteners let the timber move naturally, protecting your work from cracking and bowing.

2. Easy Installation

Simply cut a small groove or recess in the apron, screw the fastener into the tabletop, and you’re done. Fasteners make the process quick, clean, and repeatable.

3. Professional-Level Stability

The table will stay solid, firm, and wobble-free, even after years of movement.

4. Invisible Hardware

They remain hidden underneath, keeping the aesthetic clean.

5. Perfect for Both DIYers and Professional Makers

Whether you’re building a dining table, coffee table, workbench, or desk, these fasteners are a must-have for long-term performance.

How Many Fasteners Do You Need?

As a rule of thumb:

  • Use one fastener every 150–200mm around the perimeter

  • More for wider tops or when using very dense hardwood

  • Always place them evenly for balanced movement

This ensures your table top is fully secured without restricting expansion.

Get Australian-Made Table-Top Fasteners at Screw it Screws

We stock premium Australian-made table-top fasteners, designed specifically for furniture makers who want reliability and longevity in every build.

Perfect for:

  • Dining tables

  • Coffee tables

  • Desks

  • Hardwood furniture

  • Custom joinery

They’re strong, cleanly cut, and made locally to withstand Australian conditions.

Build Better, Build Smarter, Build for Life

Using table-top fasteners isn’t an optional upgrade—it’s a professional requirement for anyone who cares about the quality and longevity of their furniture.

If you’re ready to take your woodworking to the next level, grab a pack of Australian-made table-top fasteners from Screw it Screws and feel the difference for yourself.

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