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Solid table tops

8/1/13       
Tom Marguccio Member

Website: http://www.designsbymarguccio.com

I'm building 3 solid oak trestle tables , The tables are 3' x 6', all material is 1 1/2" thick. I have the tops glued together and had them sanded through a 42" drum sander at the beginning of June. I had the tops stacked on saw horses with 3/4' plywood sticks. I noticed the tops starting to warp so I made 8/4 x 3 1/2 oak straight edges and clamped the three tables together to keep them flat. I need to start finishing the tables when I get back from vacation. Would an AC unit in the shop help reduce humidity? What percentage should I shoot for currently it's 70%. I plan to add end boards to help keep the table flat . The end supports are also 8/4 oak stacked and screwed together to form a decorative leg which should help keep the top flat. I plan to finish with conversion varnish. I'm worried that when the client gets them set up in their meeting room they'll start moving and warping. The meeting room has AC in the summer and hot air heat in the winter. The tables are for a customer near Pittsburgh, PA. Any thoughts with dealing with humidity and solid table tops?

8/2/13       #2: Solid table tops ...
David R Sochar Member

Website: http://www.acornwoodworks.com

Do a search on Woodweb in the Knowledge Base and thru the forums and see some good discussions there.

Also, I suggest a copy of Bruce Hoadley's Understanding Wood. the best book for answers to your very valid questions.

In short, I believe it best to have the environment in your shop similar to the one in which the products will live. 35% RH and 70 degrees - good for wood and the people that work with wood.

Understanding Wood

8/2/13       #3: Solid table tops ...
Tom Marguccio Member

Dave,
Thanks for the info. I'll try getting the RH down to 35% but that could be a challenge in western PA.

8/4/13       #4: Solid table tops ...
David R Sochar Member

Website: http://www.acornwoodworks.com

I know what the humidity is like. In Central Indiana, we struggle to get it below 45% thru the Summer months. We have A/C, and keep it cool for the most part. Winter runs about 30%. The annual average is right, for what that's worth.

We see little problems with the wood -actually none. Letting unfinished completed table tops sit may not be the best procedure. Usually we work things right thru and then they are shipped.

One thing I have come to see over the years is that the wood is tighter, or shrunk, as far as it will ever be when we ship. It will only expand from then on. We plan for that and all is well.

8/8/13       #5: Solid table tops ...
rich

Red oak or white oak? How wide? What was the wood moisture level when you started? Bought from a reputable wood dealer? Thick white oak can be a mess when it comes from a kiln operator who doesn't know what he is doing. On a 6' long table, adding cleats, legs, and such may limit the movement a little, but 6/4 white oak with pretty much do what it wants to do. You do know not to glue or fasten any of those flattening aids(including bread board ends) tight to the wood? You've already seen what the wood is going to do. Did you really ask if A/C will lower humidity? Sure it will, just like a dehumidifier. That's what they do!


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