table design, will wood movement cause problems
Twinwood_Carving
| Posted in New To Woodworking on
Hi my name is Joe and I’m new here, this is my first post. I have built a new coffee table with dual slabs in walnut and cherry legs mortised into the walnut as shown above. Do you think I’ll have a problem with wood movement over the seasons? Or, as the slabs are a matching pair from the same tree, do you think they’ll move together and not cause any undue stress on the design? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
P.S. the table and I are in Missouri where humidity and temperature can take some wild swings over the four seasons.
Replies
Twinwood, I don't see where there would be expansion/contraction problem. Sure the walnut top will move cross grain, but very unlikely to bother anything. The cherry joint is in the middle and not wide enough, in my opinion, to cause a problem.
Tim
Should be OK
As long as the mortices are good firmly glued it should work. The top and shelf may cup/uncup slighlty with the seasons, but that should be the only movement issue unless the wood wasn't fully dry.
If you ever do have a problem with the cherry-walnut joint, some screws "toe nailed" in from the bottom should fix it.
Twinwood, I don't think there would be a problem. You built correctly, whatever contraction or expansion problem, it will balance automatically. If you still have a doubt, then ask to experts like Austin furniture repair. They will guide you perfectly.
Edwin
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