How to deal with cracks in wood for bench top?

3/21/05, 3:52 PM #1

Bill Collier
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How to deal with cracks in wood for bench top?

Bill Collier

>I hope I'm not the only one to let a project drag out for several years. I'm working a workbench like the hybrid bench in Landes's book. The problem that I face now is that the large planks for the bench top are beginning to crack at the ends.

There are two 8" by 65" 12/4 hard maple planks that were flattened and thicknessed to 2-3/4". They have been sitting in the basement storeroom/shop for at least a year. Most of the cracks are small and will disappear when the ends are trimmed but there are two cracks that are a problem. The longest crack is about 10" and the other is about 6".

I've thought of two ways to deal with this. One is to ignore the cracks for now and run some threaded rod through the completed bench top to arrest any further cracking. The more drastic way is to rip the planks and cut away parts with cracks. Does anybody have any opinions, tips, or maybe suggestions of other possibilities?

Re: How to deal with cracks in wood for bench top?

3/21/05, 5:20 PM #2

Jack Guzman from Maine
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Registered: 5/9/04

Re: How to deal with cracks in wood for bench top?

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Bill, I'm no expert,but it seems to me that if your boards are cracking,they weren't fully dried.I would make sure the wood was completely stable before cutting to final dimension and either cut away the split or live with it. I don't think a bolt will do alot in this case. I have been wrong before though,anyone else?Good luck.---Jack

- - -

I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: How to deal with cracks in wood for bench top?

3/21/05, 10:26 PM #3

Ed Mulligan
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Re: How to deal with cracks in wood for bench top?

Ed Mulligan, Cape Cod

>Bill -

If the cracks can be closed with moderate clamp pressure, I'd try to glue them back together. Glue can be spread within the crack by placing glue on the crack on one plank face and, with a shop vac, drawing the glue through the crack. You'll probably have to rejoint the boards after the glue has cured for a day or two.

If the cracks won't close up easily, I'd rip the planks to eliminate the cracks.

Another possibility is to orient the cracks so they don't show in the finished top. The cracks certainly won't affect the top structurally.

Ed

Re: How to deal with cracks in wood for bench top?

3/21/05, 10:42 PM #4

Kevin French, Antrim NH
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Re: How to deal with cracks in wood for bench top?

Kevin French, Antrim NH

>Bill Collier Wrote: I hope I'm not the only one to let a project drag out for several years.

Yes you are, or maybe that's the only one to admit to "dragging out projects.

Short of making a shorter bench the two above replies sound like a good starting point.

Re: How to deal with cracks in wood for bench top?

3/22/05, 2:01 AM #5

Todd Stock
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Registered: 1/21/04

Re: How to deal with cracks in wood for bench top?

Todd Stock

>For what it's worth, hard maple seems to end check in thicker stock even when kiln dried. I slap a coat of Anchorseal on the endgrain when I do the cut-off work - keeps the end checking away.

How to deal with cracks in wood for bench top?

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