Expandable formal dining table that seats ten and fits in a closet

Step 2: Cutting the rails

The telescoping rails are the most interesting part, so we'll start there.

Begin with eighteen wood blocks, 16" x 2¼ x 1¼.  Make these as straight and square as you can.  Any issues here will prevent the entire system from working.  It's probably a good idea to make a couple of spares.