Live Edge Stool/Chair & Bench – do I need to rip the wood first?
Still learning about woodworking question…
I would like to make a stool/chair & bench for my daughter as per the attached pictures (legs will be similar on both pieces). I have to decide on the type of wood to use, but it will be a minimum of 3″ thick. The stool/chair will be approximately 20″ (length) x 12″ (width) x 3″ (thick) (metric: 50cm x 30cm x 7cm). and the bench will be approximately 51″ (length) x 12″ (width) x 3″ (thick) (metric: 130cm x 30cm x 7cm).
My question…Do I need to rip the wood slab first and then joint it back together with opposite grain direction and dominos or will the wood slab be strong enough as is without having to rip it? The pieces in the attached pictures look like they were kept as is and not ripped.
Thanks for any advice that you can share with this beginner.
Replies
No need to rip and glue it back together.
Do you have the wood already? How dry is it, and how long since it was cut?
If it's not dry, it won't matter what you do. As it dries, it will move, and there isn't anything you can do to stop it.
If you don't have the wood yet, choose dry pieces if possible, and avoid pieces that have the pith in place. That always makes life harder.
Thank you for the advice John_C2. I do not have the wood yet. Windsor Plywood or Reimer's (in British Columbia) both have kiln dried wood and I will make sure to avoid pieces that have the pith in place.
If it’s dry and finished on both sides it will keep its flatness as one wide piece, make sure that if there is a steel frame under for attaching the legs that it does not keep the wood from expanding or contracting and it will stay flat. The only problem I am having this winter with 2 1/4 inches thick slabs that I have cut into cutting boards is end grain checking, seal the ends shortly after cutting to length if you are in a very dry environment.
Thanks Gulfstar...the Interior of British Columbia where I live gets pretty hot and dry during the summer months. I will make sure to seal the ends after cutting. I've enclosed another picture of how I anticipate attaching the steel frame underneath. May I ask how I would ensure that it does not keep the wood from expanding? Thank you.
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