I am about to make a desk and counter top out of 8/4 cherry. The counter top is approximately 12′ in length by 18″ deep. My question has to do with accurately milling stock that long. Is it possible to joint 12′ boards satisfactorily? Edge jointing it may be possible, but I am concerned about about being able to face joint boards this long. I have thought about edge jointing the boards, gluing them up and then surfacing the slab.
Alternatively, would I be better advised to divide the counter into approximately 6′ sections, with bread board ends, which could be joined together to encompass the entire lenth? What I am envisioning is two 6′ x 18″ slabs, with bread board ends. The bread board piece, which separates the slabs could be slotted on both sides to accept the adjoining slabs. While this alternative does have the disadvantage of exposing end grain projecting away from the wall, it also has the advantage of helping to maintain a flat surface.
Thanks for your time. Any thoughts on my dilemma would be greatly appreciated.
Rick
Replies
I don't want to reignite a fire which has been dormant for some weeks - but . . .
as a thought, I would consider a Festool plunge circular saw and their edge guide. I recently had a project which reqired this set up. I was amazed at the quality of the cut edges it produced (good enough for glue-ups) and it would be easy to run 3 - 50" segments of the guide together to get a 12' cut.
Frosty
Dear Frosty
I had forgotten about using Festool. I have read that the guide can be layed over two boards butted together, thereby cutting both edges at the same time to produce a joint which can be glued together nicely. Once the slab is glued up, I could sand it flat. Thank you for the idea, it is a good one.
Rick
Your idea is a good one too.Frosty
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