In response to Desert Woodworking Article
hamiltonworks
| Posted in General Discussion on
From the recent article, “The climate of the desert US Southwest can have a devastating effect on furniture. People moving there from the East often watch their antiques, which have survived hundreds of years in a relatively humid climate, break up before their eyes.”
I’m curious about the inverse/opposite situation…? I live and build fine furniture in the dry mountain West. If furniture pieces move to a more humid climate like the East Coast from here, and wood movement is planned for accordingly in the building process, are the results still as catastrophic? I would think it would be more advantageous to go from a dry climate to a more humid climate than the opposite..? Anyone out there have any comments or experience with this??
Replies
If the joinery is done properly, it doesn't matter. As long as the wood is free to move, expand or contract without impediment, there's usually not any issues.
Keep gap tolerance in mind. I built a box with a nice piston-fit drawer one winter (I am in NYC) and the drawer floated closed on a cushion of air... I was impressed with myself. That summer I could not open it. The following winter I planed down the drawer. I'm glad my car keys weren't in there!
Thanks for the input folks :)
From Fine Woodworking #165:
For centuries, granite has been quarried along the Maine coast. Way back in the woods behind my shop, on a granite outcropping, sit a few leftover slabs 10 in. thick by 2 ft. wide by 12 ft. long. The granite faces show a series of 1⁄2-in. holes drilled 12 in. to 18 in. apart. The old-timers would have driven dried wood into these holes, then walked down the row pouring water onto the wood. Eventually, the granite slabs would split apart. When wood cells absorb water, they swell and expand, and not even granite can stop it. So forget about pins, glue, screws, or fancy joinery; wood will move and break apart your work if you don’t follow the rules.