A table apron is a structural part you can see. It has to brace the frame and show no visible joint. Bent aprons solve both: the grain runs around the curve instead of meeting at a corner.
Parts we make for tables
Aprons and skirts
Curved aprons for round, oval and free-form tables, typically 18 to 30 mm thick. The apron is joined to the leg mitred or butt; seating surfaces are routed after bending. Bent wood table aprons
Edge bands
Thin bent lipping for curved panel edges — 0.6 to 3 mm, following the contour of the top. Bent wood edge bands
Arches
Segment arches, quarter circles and free forms for pedestal feet, stretchers and connections. Bent wood arch components
Slats and battens
Straight or bent slats from 4 to 18 cm section, 0.8 to 4 cm thick, for apron frames and sub-structures. Bent wood slats
Length, stiffness and tolerances
Solid bent aprons are made up to about 2,400 mm in one piece. Beyond that we segment and finger-joint so the curve stays true and the apron does not move. Above 1,800 mm span we recommend an additional stretcher — the apron braces the frame, it does not carry the top.
Radius follows thickness: about 2:1 with a steel strap, 5:1 without. A 25 mm apron reaches roughly R50 with a strap and R125 without. After drying we hold ±0.5 mm on machined dimensions and 0.3 mm/m on the surface where the top sits.
Species available are ash, beech, birch and walnut. For visible surfaces with continuous grain ash is the more robust choice; beech stays more stable in volume. All FSC, PEFC and formaldehyde documentation is bundled.
Tooling, MOQ and lead time
Tooling is built in-house in 7 to 15 days from drawing and archived for the life of the programme. MOQ is set per part: a simple apron runs in small batches, a free form with tight radii needs more tooling. Production orders run 15 to 30 days; shipping FOB Foshan or Shenzhen, CIF or DDP on request — see MOQ, lead time and shipping.
Aprons are packed lying flat with interleaving so the curves do not rest on each other. A 40 ft container takes roughly 1,500 to 2,500 aprons depending on section; packing is designed by volume, not weight.
Frequent questions
How long can a curved table apron be?
Solid up to about 2,400 mm in one piece. Beyond that we segment with a finger joint, because long sections otherwise move and the curve runs out over the length.
Does a solid apron give enough stiffness?
For bracing yes, for load-bearing no. The apron holds the frame in shape; the top weight is carried by the structure below. Above 1,800 mm we recommend a stretcher.
What tolerance applies to the top surface?
±0.5 mm on machined dimensions after drying, 0.3 mm/m where the top sits. The contour is checked against a template, not with a tape measure.
Terms: bend radius, springback and case-hardening are explained in the bent wood glossary. Send a drawing with radius and section and we confirm feasibility, tooling and lead time within 24 hours via the contact page.
Application examples: six parts with their production parameters — see the examples.