Building a cherry dining table and a nasty little split emerged in the 1” thick top after milling and cutting to size. It is 4-5” from the end on the underside of the top and so far has not made it all the way through. I am worried it will get larger over time. Options I’m considering:
1. Leave it alone
2. Glue a 3/16” or 1/4” thick piece maybe 2” x 3” positioned an inch or so in from the edge so it won’t really be seen and hope that it reduces further spread. Probably would go cross grain.
3. Rout a recess for the patch so it fits and that way I can go to the edge. I worry that any further milling will cause the wood to move and make it worse. if I go this route I would go with the grain so it shows less.
Pictures show the edge and underside. Advice welcome!
Replies
If it was my table top I would apply glue to the end grain while using a vacuum cleaner to suck glue into the joint, then clamp it up - you can find this method in fine Woodworking magazine. Next time when your building a piece cut half inch pieces off the ends of the boards as you’re milling them and tapping the off cuts on your bench as you go until the pieces don’t break any more then your good to go, that should help eliminate a crack that you can’t see easily. After you glue this one up you could install a butterfly on the underside to reinforce it. Cheers
You don't say whether the table will be for your own use or if you are making it for someone else. If you are doing it for someone else, I think I would definitely cut the split plank off and replace it with a new one; even if you have to buy more wood to do it. At the stage of construction your in, it will be easier and less time consuming to do that than to futz around with repairs. In addition, you won't need to be concerned about it getting worse and the piece you cut off will still be available for other projects. As I think about it, even if I was doing the table for myself, that is what I would do. That is why, when I buy lumber for a project, I always buy more than I need.
thanks. do you recall where that glue/vacuum process might have appeared? searching and getting nowhere....
That is either a check or stress crack. Either way, it needs to be stabilized as it may get worse as the wood acclimates.
The best way I know of is using butterflies. I would use epoxy glue.
With this type of cupped split I agree with bilyo. The chances of this progressing is high. Since it is on the underside another option is to bread board the end with biscuits to secure the grain and to provide stability to the edge of the table top.
Considering the shallow angle of the open check it will progress over time and getting glue in there will be a temporary fix at best. Even a butterfly is iffy unless you go pretty deep with it. I'd bet the farm that you'll see it on top by next winter.
For a sure-fire fix change out the board or shorten the table.
Thanks to all for the helpful feedback. I’ll be swapping that board out for sure. Lucky it is the end of the table so not a huge deal. Gives me something to do while I can’t do anything else!
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