"Swingman" wrote in message
...
"toller" wrote in message ...

I had a brilliant idea; replace the butternut support with a walnut
support with grain running the other direction (across the shelf).

Is this idea sound?

If I understand your post correctly, your main concern revolves around the
'cross grain' situation betwen the shelf and its support(s)?

From your description, the way you attach the supports to the _legs_, if
you
are indeed doing so, should be irrelevant for all practical purposes.

If there is no mechanical attachment between the shelf and the new
supports,
IOW, no screws, nails, brads, pegs, etc.or glue, and the shelf is just
sitting on the support(s), then wood movement should not be a problem
between the two.

However, most any time you create a "cross grain" situation between two
pieces of wood that are _fastened_ together in some manner, you will need
to
address the cross grain situation. There are a number of ways to do this.

The shelf is pocket screwed to the legs, and the support is pocket screwed
to the legs.
The butternut support is also screwed to the shelf. I had planned on doing
the same with the replacement walnut support. As a former engineer, I know
that stacked beams are substantially more rigid when fastened together.

However, my belief is that grainwise walnut and crossgrain butternut are
close enough in movement that it is not an issue. If I am wrong, I can
sacrifice the screw between the two; the walnut support will still be much
stronger than the butternut.

Thanks.