There has been a lot of arguement about which way to place boards for a top, Some argue for all the same direction while others argue for alternating the heart up and down.
My simple question is what should I do when the face sides that I want to use won’t conform to what people recommend. Let’s say the best match gives me two up side-by-side followed by one down and another up. If I do it as recommended, I get a very poor match, so I’ve got a dilemma.
Any sage advise for this one??? Thanks.
Dave
Edited 7/17/2003 8:41:48 AM ET by boatman
Replies
personally id chose the best face approach. I think youd run into problems only if the rings were breaking into the pith or juvenille wood at the center. The wood there is unstable and would be more prone to cupping splitting, checking and warping. Ive noticed softwood milled usually has more pith/juvenille wood on boards than hardwoods. So in a nutshell as long as you chose your boards without the center most growth rings id choose best face.
If you fail to finish the underside of the top youll encounter problems regardless of ring orientation. Making sure you apply a finish to the bottom side of the top will be your **best** insurance against any un-planned wood movement. It doesnt have to be presentation grade finish just has to be the same finish as the topside. This will equalize moisture absorbtion and dispersal. If follows veneering, do as to one side as you do to the other.
I agree. I've always gone by best face and then made sure to finish the top and bottom without a problem. That's about two dozen tables and desks over the last 18 years.
Kell
Sounds like I'm being too conservative. I trust my edges and my glue, so here goes . . . .
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