Ok, a lesson learned in grain tension. I am ashamed and humbled my friends . I submit this test top to the forum archive. I wanted to measure glue joint pressure vs. grain pressure. Look which won.
Anyway, what do you think of the design? The look I was going for was roots and tree branches’ forming into a cocktail table top. It’s got a band of rosewood around it and served it’s purpose in looks.
The top outer dimensions of the top are 29″ x 161/4″ and it is 19″ tall. The inner dimensions of the center stock is 22″ x 9-3/8″. 3″ solid walnut edge’s, mirror matched with the edge’s from split 8/4. Finished with several coats of satin poly.
Replies
Did you know that the Romans split marble slabs using wood? They would drive dry wooden wedges into the cracks then wet the wood. The resultant pressure would split marble slabs weighing many tons.
Is that center portion recessed? Can't tell from the pic to well. If it is, then cut a piece the thickness of the recess and glue it over the crack, but only glue it on one side.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
Not to beat an obviously moribund horse, but that's why stable substrates like MDF, particle board, or plywood are veneered and used in that kind of design.
Wood will move, and not much that you can do will stop it. Designs either have to allow wood to move, or use materials that don't move (appreciably.)
Sorry you had to learn the hard way (but I bet you won't forget soon.)
Michael R.
It looks like an ordinary shrinkage crack that would occur if the panel wasn't allowed to float in the frame.
John W.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled