Hello Gary ! I just recently completed ” The Federal Card Table ” built it Steve Latta in the December 2005 issue of “FINE WOODWORKING Magazine. This is the first time I have ever taken on a project like this. It took me a long time to complete, at time’s I would stop, put the project away as my patience was wearing thin, and I didn’t want to screw it up.
Well I finally finished it and after bring it into the house I was very disappointed to see it cup on the top leaf, the cup is so high that I can put my fingers in between the upper and lower leaf’s.
Now I just recently listed my problem on Fine Woodworking “KNOTS” and I received a few suggestions, one suggestion was to take the top leaf off, and find a heat source, like your fire-place where there is radiant heat that can warm the convex side only. If you warm the large side more than the cupped side, it will give up moisture faster on that side, and pull back the other way.
What are your thoughts on this. Also if you think this will work, I do not have a fire-place but I do have a wood burning stove in the shop. After I get it straightened out I will have to transport it to my apartment, 15 min. away do you think this will be a problem.
Thanks Gary.
Jack
Replies
Hi Jack,
Wood is such a wonderful thing isn't it?
I would avoid heating your board to take out cup. But wetting it down can work wonders. Less risky too I think. I have seen badly cupped boards flatten out in minutes wetting down the concave side. Try that first and keep it pretty damp. See if that doesn't work. It will depend upon the thickness of your top and how badly it cupped as for the time it needs to straighten.
How thick is this top and is there no restraint built into this design? I have to wonder why it cupped so badly in the first place. Were both sides of the top treated the same? Was one side exposed to moisture? These are the culprits usually. Don't worry about a 15 minute run back home. It's the moisture imbalance that's the problem, not moisture or the lack of it. When one side dries or wets more than the other, you have problems. Good luck with this.
Gary Rogowski
http://www.northwestwoodworking.com
Gary ! Thanks ever so much I will give it a try, and let you know how it worked out.
Thanks Big Time.
Jack
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