Good morning all. New to this forum as a member but have lurked here for a while soaking up knowledge from all of your posts. I am currently building a dining table out of sassafras for a client with very specific needs. The top is 34″ wide and 76″ long. The overhang at each end is 10″ and at the long edges 7″ on each side. The legs and apron are inset so deep as a request by the client to accommodate banquette seating in their space. The top itself is 13/16″ thick, 7 board glue up. I am concerned about possible cupping in the top over time given how thin it is and how much overhang there is going to be. I want to use some c channel on each end about 8″ in on the 10″ overhang sides (short sides). my question to you guys is, do you think c channel with 1/2″ legs is ok to use on the top even though its only 13/16″ thick? I can’t seem to find anything with 1/4″ legs unfortunately or I would use that. Thanks for any advice in advance. Happy building!
Greg
Replies
To make a wood table and put on c-channel would be a shame... have a look at this:
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2006/03/01/keeping-tabletops-flat
I agree it would be a bit of a shame in my mind as well.
For what it's worth, my understanding is that the whole C-channel for preventing wood movement and warpage is a complete myth.
C channel or not, that wood will do what it wants.
Also, at 13/16", that will be a really thin C channel, which only makes me suspect that wood really won't care about its existence.
Someone, please correct me if i'm understanding this wrong.
I don't have the experience to add any solutions, though.
3/4 ‘’ table tops are quite common, provided there is an apron and for that length, a couple intermediate 3/4’’ X 2’’ wood cross braces screwed from under it will stay straight.