Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Nov 16, 2007 03:32pm | #1

   Hi Genecoder:

   All wood shrinks and expands, so the short answer to your question is there's no way to stop it short of keeping it in a humidity controlled environment forever. You can, however, control it from causing problems by using proper joinery and construction techniques.

   The frame and panel, for example, is designed specifically to control wood movement. The panel floats freely inside the frame so that the overall dimensions don't change while the wide panel shrinks and expands.

   A tabletop should be attached to a table base with a system that allows the top to shrink and expand, as described here: http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=2852

   A bed headboard that's attached to two bed posts should have tenons that fit in oversized mortises as described in this article: http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ProjectsAndDesign/ProjectsAndDesignPDF.aspx?id=24114

   Here's my favorite article on the subject if you want to read a few more practical examples: http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=2867

   Let me know if you have specific construction dilemma and I can help you solve it.

   Regards,
   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

   P.S. Are you a biologist in your day job???