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I have been using the Maloof type joint on my chairs for a couple of years. Most of my work has been in Walnut and I have had very little trouble with shrinkage. Recently, I started making chairs out of Cherry. The wood I use (Walnut and Cherry) is FAS (kiln dried to 8-10%) top of the line wood. With all the cold weather recently, we keep the heat on all the time. Some of the front leg joints, which are glued on 3 sides are pulling apart a bit. Evidently, the front leg post is shrinking and leaving a tiny gap in the joint. I have thought about, making a small kiln and reducing the moisture content of the front leg post to 5%, but then if the wood took on any moisture it would bust the joint apart.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Does Cherry move more with seasonal fluctuations in humidity than other woods say Walnut. A Mahogany chair I made with this same Maloof type joint is as smooth as the day it was sanded over a year ago.
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Replies
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My suggestion would be to diligently humidify the shop.
*and your house....... I have found that Cherry seems to move more than Walnut. No scientific data, just anecdotal evidence. You've also discovered one of the reasons why Mahogany is a great wood. There are lots of variables here, but the one constant is that you should try to maintain humidification (in the Winter) for your own health and that of fine furniture as well.
*Given that cherry moves more than some other woods, I guess my best bet would be to select a piece of quarter sawn for the front leg posts and orient the grain to minimize the movement in the direction that I am having trouble.
*Absolutely; I think a lot of woodworkers overlook quartersawn Cherry, Walnut, and other common species in search of so-called "great figure" and "great grain". I've incorporated the straight-grained look into some very nice pieces and as an added benefit had the piece of mind of more stable stock.I really like the verticality that quartersawn stock can give a table leg. I particularly like the look of quartersawn Walnut for this purpose. Good luck and put a large pot of boiling water on your stove......
*Actually humidity is a problem where I live in the mountains of western North Carolina. It rains alot in the summer and with the windows and doors open the moisture content of the wood on my racks increases. I build chairs under these conditions, they go into people's homes where the heat is on in the winter without humidification and then the joints start to move. You must live in a dry area. If anything I have thought about running a dehumidifier.Stay dry, Bill Lindau
*Piece of mind should read peace of mind. My mind is slipping.......
*Bill , what type of glue are you using?View Image
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