My SO has asked me to build her a dining room table with a messy pattern of
wood (look in abpw for drawing). I'd rather not use veneer preferring to
use solid wood (it'll be heavy). The grain direction changes for each part
of the table top and I'm wondering how to avoid splitting due to wood
movement.

Suggestions will certainly be appreciated, even the ones suggesting veneer
;-)

Gary

GeeDubb wrote:
: My SO has asked me to build her a dining room table with a messy pattern of
: wood (look in abpw for drawing). I'd rather not use veneer preferring to
: use solid wood (it'll be heavy). The grain direction changes for each part
: of the table top and I'm wondering how to avoid splitting due to wood
: movement.

: Suggestions will certainly be appreciated, even the ones suggesting veneer



You really should use veneer.


But, if you're determined not to, about the best you can
do is have each of the larger squares as a floating panel in
the main frame. To get the pattern you've sketched you'll need
quartersawn wood anyway, which will expand somewhat less than
flatsawn would.


But you really ought to use veneer. Even homemade, thick (1/8")
would do, and give you some of the working pleasantries of solid wood
(repairability, handplanability, etc).


-- Andy Barss

GeeDubb wrote:
My SO has asked me to build her a dining room table with a messy pattern of
wood (look in abpw for drawing). I'd rather not use veneer preferring to
use solid wood (it'll be heavy). The grain direction changes for each part
of the table top and I'm wondering how to avoid splitting due to wood
movement.

Suggestions will certainly be appreciated, even the ones suggesting veneer
;-)

Gary


ayup. patterns like that are why veneering was invented.