Figure 8 vs "Z" fasteners

[BrentDH]

I am building a couple end tables and am trying to figure out the best way to attach the top.  I would like to use figure 8 fasteners but it seems to me you can only use those on two of the four sides.  If you attach the top to all four side rails with those the movement would be restricted.  It seems to me you can only put those on the sides where the end grain is.  Am I missing something here?  The same manufacturers that make the 8's should make something like this for the long grain sides.
  __________
/  _      ____   \
| (  )   (          ) |
 \ -      --------- /
  ----------------
It's kind of hard to draw in ascii characters but hopefully you get the idea.  There is a round hole that would mount to a counter bore in the side rail just like the figure 8 and then an elongated hole that would mount to the top and allow movement along the length of this fastener. The figure 8's allow movement is the direction opposite of the axis of the fastener.

So since I cannot find what seems to be an obvious solution to using figure 8's I guess I am going to cut a slot in the rails and use "Z" fasteners.  Does anyone have a better solution?

[FS7]

I am building a couple end tables and am trying to figure out the best way to attach the top.  I would like to use figure 8 fasteners but it seems to me you can only use those on two of the four sides.  If you attach the top to all four side rails with those the movement would be restricted.  It seems to me you can only put those on the sides where the end grain is.  Am I missing something here?  The same manufacturers that make the 8's should make something like this for the long grain sides.
  __________
/  _      ____   \
| (  )   (          ) |
 \ -      --------- /
  ----------------
It's kind of hard to draw in ascii characters but hopefully you get the idea.  There is a round hole that would mount to a counter bore in the side rail just like the figure 8 and then an elongated hole that would mount to the top and allow movement along the length of this fastener. The figure 8's allow movement is the direction opposite of the axis of the fastener.

So since I cannot find what seems to be an obvious solution to using figure 8's I guess I am going to cut a slot in the rails and use "Z" fasteners.  Does anyone have a better solution?

Have you thought about elongated washers? You wouldn't be able to fix one side, but expansion would not be an issue. I've used them in different applications (attaching a table top to pedestal-type legs) and they worked well.

[Dan Moening]

The figure 8's allow movement is the direction opposite of the axis of the fastener.

So, rather than have the axis perpendicular to the side of the table ... rotate it 45* - 60* or so.

I typically use a traditional approach ... buttons:

[cvillewood]

I’ve used both and much prefer the z-clips. Just have to plan ahead and cut the kerf and that’s it. No fiddling with a Fortsner bit and depth of cut and placement.

[fredhargis]

I've Z clips without cutting the kerf before hand, I just use my biscuit joiner to make the needed kerf.  Evens then you need the room for the tool, so there is still some planning to do. But back to the figure 8 washers, someone above mentioned it....set them at a slight angle and your good to go.

[WaterlooMarc]

If you have one a domino makes a really clean slot for z clips.

[Stwood_]

Ima Z clip fan if I have them on hand. If not, I make them out of wood like Dan's pic