I am not a woodworker, but would like to request guidance from this community. I have owned a Thomas Moser dining table for 3 years. It belonged to my parents, who had it for about 2 years.
It has two boards that are different colors than the rest of the table. The majority of the boards are the same “tone” of color, meaning that if you put them side-by-side, they would match. These two boards are darker by several shades, making the table look like it has “stripes”. I understand the table is built of cherry. Is this variation in board color to be expected OR can it be prevented by appropriate selection of wood?
Replies
Cherry heartwood (red or pinker shades as opposed to the beige sapwood) comes out of the trees in many many shades. Those shades can surprise you again when grain orientations differ among boards, finish is applied, or uv light (which darkens, but can also bleach out, cherry) falls on the boards, or just plain aging/oxidation happens.
Many lesser furniture companies use stains and glazes on their cherry pieces to make the wood all look similar.
Some builders exahalt in the variations.
Hard to say what happened in your case, but to answer your question as directly as possible:
Cherry naturally varies A LOT.
One of the "hallmarks" of Thos Moser is a lifetime warranty. Give them a call in their Auburn Maine headquarters - they will be able to help you.
800-708-9703
The only way to prevent the variation you speak of is to use boards from the same log for your entire project - if not prevent variation, it will certainly minimize the difference.
So to answer your question, IMO, yes it can be prevented by appropriate wood selection. However, I don't think Thos. Moser would go through all of that trouble for each piece they build - they are building nice pieces but in a production enviornment.
Lee
cherry is funny stuff you can have two boards that look the same when cut and sanded or planed but after they have been exposed to air and light will darken differently. You did not say if the lighter boards are on table-leaves that have been in a closet they can often be lighter and will darken if you leave them out in the light. I would say just live with it and enjoy the table.
Good luck
Troy
I built a conference room table for my law office 3 or 4 yrs. ago which was loosely based on a Moser design. There are perhaps 20 cherry boards on the table top. They all age differently and in my opinion, look great. One of the big differences between factory furniture and handmade furniture is the celebration of wood and grain in handmade. We don't stain or glaze our wood to obtain uniformity. So my advice is to understand what you have and revel in the lack of uniformity. PMM
With due respect to the others opinions, and realizing that what looks good to some does not to others, I'll voice my opinion. I like table tops that have boards that match as well as is practical. Unless there is something in the design that calls for differing tones, colors or species, then we should try our best to match them up well. I'm not talking bookmatching (optimum), just laying them side by side and looking before glueing. I'm certainly not criticizing Moser as they do great work, but they have to have more of a production mindset then most individual furniture makers due to their volume and I'm sure things sneak through once in a while. I would point out that it is the small craftsperson who is best able to select woods and match grains, and would encourage those that are selective to have things made by their local shops, it will likely not even cost as much and if it does you'll have appreciation for why.
<<they have to have more of a production mindset then most individual furniture makers due to their volume and I'm sure things sneak through once in a while.>>It's irresponsible, and possibly harmful, to engage in speculation about Moser's methods and quality control when you don't know what they are and haven't given the company a chance to address the issue.
[Avoid schadenfreude]
Also, we've got to remember we're dealing with a NATURAL product here. Sunlight may affect (or is it effect?) one board more than another overtime. From one log to another and even stock from the same tree may show variances over time.
Sunlight may affect (or is it effect? LOL LOL... I have that problen also and I majored in English!
I agree. Wood is wood and is like a woman... celebrate the difference!Want everything the same get IKEA!
I would agree that once-built you accept the piece for what it is. Different shades, knicks, scratches, mistakes, etc. After all we're working with natural materials (wood). If I enjoyed making/using homogonous stuff I'd have a house full of man-made material.
However, as a builder I do take care to match "as best I can" wood tone. I don't get overly worked up but would not include "sap" wood with heart wood on the highly visible elevations.
Perhaps my comments on uniformity above were misinterpreted or poorly phrased. I do my best to match grain and wood tones. Certainly one would not want a mish-mash of light and dark boards in the same table top. But having said that, I look at the grain and "subtlely" different wood tones as a thing of beauty. I believe that this is what separates hand made furniture from factory made. PMM
T Moser always notes that they take pride in matcing boards...especially for a table top...considering how much your parents probably paid (it would be a considerable amount) I would contact them and note your concern.
The question that has not been asked (yet) is "was the table this way when your parents bought it"?
If it was, then you have something that they chose, that belonged to them, that was part of them. If it was not this way from the outset, and you do not enjoy the change that has taken place, then contact the factory.
Another point to consider: Cherry darkens as it ages. At some time in the future it will likely all be equally dark. To hasten the aging process, treat it with sunlight (perhaps an ultraviolet light source).
Regards from Perth
Derek
Thanks for all the guidance. I'd like to answer some of the questions and add a few more bits of information. I was fortunate to receive this table because my parents had to buy a new table for a smaller dining area. They purchased another Moser table. We started noting the inconsistency when they received the new table. Of course, it took some time for new table to age and reach the approximate "tone" of the older table. However, we noted that the boards on the new table were almost perfect...meaning that it was hard to even tell there were different boards. It is just a beautiful top! On the older table you can tell where boards join, and in the case of two boards, there's definate variation of several tones difference. Someone asked if these were leaves in the table - no, they are part of the solid table top. My mother always rotated the old table to give it consistent sun exposure, and I've continued doing the same.
They kept the chairs they originally bought...so I'm without chairs for the table!
Another purely speculative thought is that this could be a really "old" Moser table, made when he didn't have the resources to do the matching they are known for today. Heck, this could a Moser Garage Model. Contact Sotheby's.
Ha! I haven't made something that ISN'T a garage model - yet!
I think you meany "grange," not garage.
Edited 10/23/2007 8:30 pm ET by VTAndy_
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