Hi Bill,
I have a client who wants a solid wood dining table ~9′ x4′ with a pnel in the middle consisting of one timber, with a mitred frame of `4-6″ around the perimeter. My concern, naturally, is the movement of the timber and the integrity of the mitres. Any advice? Veneer is not really an option here, but a rather rustic finish may be acceptable. Thank you. Yours sincerely,
Scott
Replies
Scott--Your concerns are valid and prudent. If you put a mitered frame around a solid lumber tabletop, those miters will literally explode within one year from the date you finish making the table. As an example, I did two calculations for a table that size in a house in New England: A flatsawn hard maple top would shrink and swell at least 1 1/4 in. in width; even a quartersawn mahogany top (and true mahogany is one of the most stable woods you could use) would swell and shrink at least 3/8 in., which would be enough to blow the miters apart.
My advice is either to turn down the job or insist that your client sign off on a release that you won't be held liable for the disastrous result that is certain to occur. One other alternative would be simply to build the table with breadboard ends, a subject the magazine has covered extensively in the past. You could search the archives for more about that topic if you've never done it. Good luck.--BD
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