Glad to know that what I was going to do is a big no-no before I
actually did it. The reason I was planning on adding the MDF is to
increase the rigidity of the table top as I am building it as a desk
for my girlfriend and I have some reservations about 1" cherry being
able to handle the weight over time and not bending in the middle.
But this once again could be my own naivete.

Also, a quick clarification. Are you saying that even on the edge
banding (where endgrain will be joined with long grain) that I don't
need biscuits there either?

Thanks again for your help, you are saving me many headaches and a lot
of money in wood.
-jeb

*However* -- Your description is not entirely clear with respect to how the
MDF comes into play. I got the idea that you are planing on "laminating"
the cherry glueup on top of a MDF panel of equal dimensions???? If so, this
is a no-no, as the cherry will be robbed of its need to expand and contract
across its grain with changes is seasonal moisture. If the MDF panel is
somehow integral to the design (which I can understand why -- maybe you can
give us more detail into the piece you are planning), you'll have to figure
out a way to attach it that will still allow movement of the cherry panel,
which obviously precludes you from gluing the edge banding to both the
cherry and MDF as well.

Clear as mud??? LOL. Give us somemore detail as to the table design, and
its intended uses and we can get you rolling in the right direction. Likely
the 1" cherry top will suffice on its own, and with a properly constructed
apron & leg assembly will be very solid. If a thick appearance to the top
is what you desire, the wider edge banding can still be applied to be flush
with the tabletop, but extend below the bottom edge.

Hope this helps. Good Luck -- Its a great hobby. Welcome to the group.


--

Brian
www.wood-workers.com/users/lavoie


"Jeb Sawyer" wrote in message
m...
Rather new to woodworking, so this may be a simple question. I'm
making a tabletop out of 1" cherry on top of 1" MDF. I am going to
band the table top with cherry also to cover up the MDF. My question
is where do I need to put biscuits? I am glueing together 5 pieces of
cherry for the top, but since it is long grain to long grain is there
still a need for biscuits. And what about the banding on the sides
(with grain running perpendicular) should I be concerned about the
wood expanding and cracking?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Jeb