Replies

1. 
   RW | Nov 10, 2002 06:44pm | #1

   1: no

   2: doing so probably increases the stress you create on the table. Saw kerfs give more surface area to the underside of the table, letting it absorb / dissipate humidity at a different rate than the top, and therefore warp easier. Also, how sure are you of getting a good seal with the finish inside the kerfs?

   Alternating faces is one method of trying to alleviate cupping in a top (smiley up, smiley down) and there have been numerous unsettled discussions as to whether or not that does any better than aligning them all the same way. If the joinery is good, if you sand it flat, finish it flat, and keep it unrestricted in movement via table top clips or other similar method, you shouldn't have any worries.

2. 
   jeffn7 | Nov 10, 2002 08:35pm | #2

   Not sure it would be necessary to kerf the underside, and as the previous reply stated, it probably add a lot of stress to the top.

   I can tell you from personal experience that a way to guarantee the top will curl is to finish only the top...