I am building a kitchen table with solid walnut top. I was thinking of inlaying some arc’s along the long grain sides. Probably make the inlay 3/8″ wide by 1/4″ deep. My question is as the arc cuts across the grain as the top expands and contracts would it cause the inlay is push above the surface? I will use a contrasting wood probably cherry or sycamore. I attached a really crude idea ow Thanks
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Replies
There is no attachment, but if you are planning on running the inlay with the long grain more-or-less parallel to the walnut you should be fine. The wood movement over ⅜" is nominal and not a factor at all if the grain of the inlay is running the same as the primary board.
At 1/4" the inlay can behave as solid wood and not veneer. It might just move to its own tune and wind up protruding anyway. If you make the inlay thinner, more towards veneer thickness instead of wood the issue diminishes.
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