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reception desk -solid walnut details

4/22/15       
jake

hello all
i have a reception desk to build.
attached the details. they want solid walnut slabs book matched as shown surrounded by a nickel trim and in between a transaction counter.
1: worried about expansion.
2: anyone know of a shop that can plane material this wide and glue it up for me?


View higher quality, full size image (2000 X 1000)


View higher quality, full size image (2000 X 1000)


View higher quality, full size image (2000 X 1000)

4/22/15       #2: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
Larry

The images didn't show well enough on my computer. Really small.

4/23/15       #3: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
jake

yes
i see now.
thanks for looking.
will try again.


View higher quality, full size image (2000 X 1000)


View higher quality, full size image (2000 X 1000)

4/23/15       #4: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
rich c.

Still not big enough or enough details for me to help. You should likely give your area of the country since shipping those slabs across the United States would be expensive and damage would be likely. You can't affix metal across the grain of solid wood. The wood must be able to float.

4/23/15       #5: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
Rob Scaffe  Member

Definitely agree with Rich. If it's to be wrapped in metal it should be veneer on a stable substrate.
These look like an architect's conceptual sketch, as best I can tell from the smallish drawings, I see no aesthetic reason for a solid slab. There are other design/construction issues as well that look like they need to be addressed. These should be worked out with detailed submittals. An upfront meeting or call to the architect or designer would also be helpful- who knows they might be reasonable people.

As far as your original question. A 20" (not to hard to find) planer would suffice for the half's then glue up yourself. You would want to flatten one face before planing however. Moot point though at this time....

Good Luck with this

Rob

4/23/15       #6: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
jake

thankyou
i am figuring how to post a normal size image.
re architect she insists its solid as they are bookmatched solid walnut crotch. a few bucks all in all but worried about expansion.
any further ideas?

4/23/15       #7: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
jake

one last time with image :)


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4/23/15       #8: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
David R Sochar Member

"Slab" is the term that is giving everyone problems. It implies solid wood. However, the metal frame, and tight construction, demand veneer on a stable core.

These two things are in direct conflict and will not allow successful construction.

'Bookmatched' can be used to describe positioning of solid wood slabs and it can also be used to describe how crotch veneers are oriented to each other. You need to talk to the designer about terminology and materials.

If you understand this, then you have to communicate the conflict to the architect. If you do not understand this, then you should say so and pass on the job.

4/23/15       #9: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
jake

david and others
thankyou.
actually have being doing woodwork many moons.
i had meeting with arch. she is quite knowledgeable. she insists on solid book matched [at 2 points] of crotch cut walnut solid slabs that i can procure.
the movement in nyc interior is not all that much. i have calculated that .
however am figuring out a way to allow the wood to expand or contract "within" the metal frame. much like a solid table top ,say, screwed to the sub frame with holes larger than the screw.
what do you think?
thank you

4/23/15       #10: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
Rob Scaffe  Member

As far as a solid rim band, no. A channel will work but the thickness of the metal will have to be proud of the face. If flush you would have to rabbit the panel to receive it, but you would have to leave a reveal so the panel can move. You also have to allow foe movement where they are attached. You are not going to win an argument with mother nature. If the architect insists and you are compelled to do it, include a clear disclaimer in your submittals and insist she sign off on it as well as approving the drawings. Architects have a PHD in deflecting blame, and you will be held responsible. Surely you are not going to
build this with out approved drawings.

4/23/15       #11: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
Rob Scaffe  Member

Jake
I forgot to mention you can get the veneers you need here:
https://www.certainlywood.com/results_woodmenu.php?name=WALNUT,%20AMERICAN&men
u=Crotch

4/23/15       #12: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
jake

Rob and others
thank you. I do buy occasionally from certainly wood. Great ppl.
Arch probably will not go for it.
re working drawings of course.
will offer the option of rabbet. Only way.
If it comes to it any shops around with wider planer i could sib out to?

4/23/15       #13: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
Larry

If you can't find a local planer you could put a 40 grit belt on your widebelt and grind it down. Solid slabs for this are a risk. Can she guarantee no ambient moisture changes?

4/23/15       #14: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
David R Sochar Member

Here is one way to surface a slab.....


View higher quality, full size image (2592 X 1944)

4/23/15       #15: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
k

Having flattened slabs like that a few times with a router sled on parallel beams, I can say it is effective but quite tedious and dusty. I would be looking for a local shop with a CNC router to do the job.

4/23/15       #16: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
rich c.

You're going to fight a few conditions with those solid crotch slabs. Unlikely to find any that aren't cracked in the drying process. High figured wood doesn't like to dry evenly. Running a wide crotch piece through a thickness planer is likely going to have a bunch of tear out. You will have to buy an oversize slab, as most crotch figure slabs don't make nice rectangular panels.Your statement, "the movement in nyc interior is not all that much" makes me smile. Special atmospheric conditions in NYC? Personally, I would walk away from this one. My reputation would not be worth satisfying the architect's whim.

4/23/15       #17: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
jake

Rich thanks for your input. The MC of the building building will be fine. Its a lobby for a 180 million dollar renovation. Doubt they will turn off the climate control to save money. LOL. anyway i located the slabs .dry and great. ($$$) but your point about tear out worries me and is valid. something to consider.

4/24/15       #18: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
Larry

If you have access to a CNC it works nicely for flattening the first side then flipping to make uniform thickness. Tear out is minimized. Can be trimmed to size @ same time. It will still need considerable sanding due to the wild grain.

5/28/15       #19: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
David Waldmann  Member

Website: vermonthardwoods.com

"The MC of the building building will be fine. Its a lobby for a 180 million dollar renovation. Doubt they will turn off the climate control to save money."

First off, most "buildings" don't have humidity control unless they are designed for housing objects/materials where that is critical. On the size slab you're looking at, even 1% MC change will result in disaster and/or gaps.

EVEN IF the building is super climate controlled, you're going to have to ensure that your shop and any subsequent storage or transport is EXACTLY the same RH. And, the slab(s) will need to be in your shop for quite a long time to ensure EMC.

Finally, even if all the above concerns are met, what about 10 or 20 years down the road when they decide to renovate, and they have the building open, plaster the walls, redo the floor with tile in thin set, etc? You may say that it's not your problem that far down the road, and while I agree with you - don't you want the work you do to be enduring?

If it were me presented with the job I would strongly advise against it, and at worst get a disclaimer in writing that I was not responsible for any defects as a result of wood movement.

5/28/15       #20: reception desk -solid walnut detail ...
jake

David and others
thank you.
i agree and will present it that way.
thanks for your input


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