Hello,
I have a small bedside table I’m building (19 1/2 x 18 top). I was planning on using live edge walnut and epoxy for the table top. The wood I’m using is just about 3/4″ and I was thinking of adding a small extra layer of epoxy below the wood to provide some rigidity, about 1/8 of an inch.
Is this acceptable, given that there will be wood movement? The walnut pieces are about 8″ wide. As they expand and contract, will I have to worry about them delaminating from the bottom epoxy layer?
I’ve tried to find an answer searching online, but haven’t been successful.
Thanks!
Replies
As I mentioned in another discussion here, consider using two sliding dovetail cletes across the grain. Glue the cletes only on one end, or not at all, to allow free wood movement. For great detail about using sliding dovetail cletes, refer to this excellent source: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733391614/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_JpuQFb9VQZHE1. If you don't want to shell out for the Anarchist's Design Book, then Google for "Christopher Schwarz sliding dovetails". Keep in mind that cutting the cletes and dovetail slots on a table saw is perfectly acceptable.
You don't say why you think the extra reinforcement is needed. Nor do you say how the base of the table will be made. Usually 3/4" walnut is pretty stable. I don't think a 1/8" layer of epoxy will add any meaningful amount of stiffness to your top. If needed, what user-6822566 suggested would work just fine. However, properly fastening the top down to the rest of the table should also be adequate.
Perhaps I don't need the extra reinforcement. In my limited experience thicker things tend to warp less than thinner things. I made a serving board out of ambrosia maple and epoxy and it seemed to warp quite a bit vs a much thicker board made from maple and Sapele.
This might not be true, and just my limited experience.
Once I finish with the epoxy, I'm going to level it (and the wood) out with a router sled. Fewest passes possible, but I'll be losing more of the original wood. Hence my desire for some reinforcement.
The dovetail cleats would be a good idea, but the grain is side to side, not front to back, and I don't want to look through the epoxy and see a cleat. Light will shine up through the epoxy and I don't want to have anything in the way.
The epoxy will not de-laminate from the wood, there are countless tabletops that are finished with flooded epoxy that stand the test of time. It will not however add any strength to the top, but it will keep the moisture in the wood from changing with rapid climate changes and if applied to both sides should keep the top from any wood movement.
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