Replies

1. 
   Rob_Sp | Aug 01, 2012 09:09pm | #1

   An interesting question

    I will assume that you will be joining the ends to the top in a traditional manner, that is gluing and pinning in place only the very center and allowing the rest to float, that is elongated tenons and slots for pins towards the outside edges. I would use a tongue and groove the entire width of the top( which would show from the side). and three narrower, centered tenons and not continuous as you show in the drawings. The issue here, at least theoretically, as the top expands, the long grain at the breadboard ends meets no resistance but a small gap could open at the joint between the angled breadboard ends. If the top shrinks across its width the long points of the top will want to drive out the ends. With that being said, I think you will be alright, Hopefully you will try to acclimate the piece to the environment it will be used in during the construction process. Wood being the somewhat forgiving animal it is, will probably give enough during any possible shrinkage across the width to avoid a catastrophic split , spring the breadboard instead.

   Best of Luck

   Rob

2. 
   Westchester | Aug 02, 2012 06:03am | #2

   Desk

   Mission style - solid oak ? 

   Maybe consider a plywood top with solid edging.

   SA

3. 
   RalphBarker | Aug 02, 2012 10:15am | #3

   Looking into my crystal ball . . .

    . . . I see problems arising. Problems of the irresistable force versus the immovable object sort.

   If the panel segments are solid wood, they won't move along the lines intended, but rather at right angles to the grain direction. So, while the design would be visually interesting, it won't work physically (with solid wood).

   A plywood panel with faux breadboard ends of solid wood would solve most of the problem, however. There will still be some differential in expansion of the wider portion of the breadboard ends compared to the narrower ends, though. So, you might still have problems.

4. 
   [email protected] | Aug 03, 2012 12:55am | #4

   Thanks for the comments. Using plywood is a good idea, but I'm using solid cherry.

   I'd really like to try this design, and I think it would work, but I need the desk, so I think I'll chicken out and take the easy option and just use plain ends (not breadboarded). It's actually more in keeping wit the mission style anyway, but i like to switching things up a bit :-)

   I'll try this on a coffee table. It'll be smaller so less expansion and contraction. 

   Thanks again