Replies

1. 
   jeanlou | Feb 08, 2007 10:48pm | #1

   gj13

   From the size of the planks, I have a feeling that you are looking at a veneer top on a particle board substrate, all framed with solid wood mouldings cut on a mitre. If you see visible dowels holding the edge trim, I would assume this to be a design element and not a real mechanical means of fastening the mouldings. I am only guessing.  JL

    

2. 
   JohnWW | Feb 08, 2007 11:26pm | #2

   If the look isn't being faked with veneer as suggested in the other post, then the planks need to be tongue and grooved with a enough gap between them to expand if they absorb some moisture from the air during damper weather.  Each end of the plank could be pinned to the frame at its center point to keep the overall spacing even.  The ends of all the planks and the edges of the two outer planks would be tongued to fit into a matching groove in the inside edge of the mitered frame.

   The alternative would be to glue up one large panel and fit into the frame as a traditional frame and floating panel, again with enough of a gap around the perimeter to allow the panel to expand with increased humidity.

   The draw back with either of these techniques is that the table top will have a lot of food catching grooves.  If there aren't any grooves visible in the photo, the chances are the top is veneered.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine  

1. 
   gj13 | Feb 09, 2007 02:53am | #3

   Now that you've described it, veneered seems like the likely construction. The top isn't perfectly smooth, though. It looks like it's been hand planed, has barely visible dips here and there. I suppose any "look" is possible.