Replies

1. 
   DougU | Dec 09, 2005 09:11am | #1

   Alder is very soft.

   I built a bar top out of it because that's what they wanted. They actually want it to get beat to shid!

   Depends on how much punishment you think it will take. Have you considered using alder veneered MDF, using a solid alder edge detail?

   Make sure that if you do use solid alder that they are aware that the potential for dings is eminent.

   Doug

2. 
   DennisS | Dec 09, 2005 09:46am | #2

   Thew -

   I don't have a lot of experience working with alder other than a few turned pieces. I do know, from what I've been told by locals here where alder grows like weeds, that a great deal of what's harvested in our area is sent east for use in furniture frames, as in upholstered furniture - sofas and the like. It's quite strong and properly seasoned reasonably stable. I've seen some beautiful kitchen cabinets of alder that appear to be holding up pretty well. But it also splits in wild and unpredictable ways.

   As for a table top I think it might be a bit soft with respect to holding up to the kind of abuse a table top is subjected to. Perhaps an appropriate finish that's in the wood rather than on it would help disguise dings from equipment that might be used on the table, notebook/laptop computers being dropped on it and so forth. You're probably a better judge of that than I am.

   It will move on you quite a bit though so attachment to the legs and apron must be carefully considered.

3. 
   ring | Dec 09, 2005 03:18pm | #3

   Unless they're specifically looking for a worn look, I would counsel against it.  Alder is so soft that it will show the traces of handwriting through a piece of paper.  Of all the variety out there, why alder for a table top?

   DR

1. 
   Thew | Dec 09, 2005 09:15pm | #4

   Thank you all much. I think it will be taking a fair bit of abuse over the years, so I will counsel against it.Thew

1. 
   Ribeye | Dec 12, 2005 08:24pm | #5

   "Better late than never", but ... here's my experience with using Alder for table tops. 

   First of all, yes, it is a relatively soft hardwood. (It machines beautifully!)

    Despite its relative softness (and "dingability"), it I've had some delightful successes in using it for table tops.  I have even used Alder to make a 2-1/2-foot by 7-foot workbench top -- complete with holes for bench top clamps and dogs and so forth! 

   The Alder for the furniture tops was stained with a colonial maple Gel stain and top-coated with oil-based poly. (The poly makes a hard surface in and of itself.)  One piece that's topped with the Alder is a stand-alone kitchen cabinet -- a microwave "lives" on it so it gets a fair amount of rougher-than-usual treatment.  After better than a year, it's looking as good as it did on Day One.

   The workbench has been left unfinished.  Sure, it gets (and shows) dings and hammer blows but it certainly doesn't look like a war zone :-)-- Steve

   Enjoy life & do well by it;

   (it might well be the only chance you get.)