Hi All
My initial idea was to build a standard 2- 1/2 inch thick laminated top from 8/4 maple lumber. But I am short of 8/4 lumber and want to keep waste and price under control. So I am thinking of making only the first 7 inch from the front edge up and doing the rest of the top with the boards face up, each board will be around 5 inch wide. My lumber is kiln dried and plainsawn. My main worry is stability
I would like to get some comments or suggestions on how I could go by with this approach and if it make any sense.
also I am thinking of mixing some oak in the lamination, any issue with that? kiln dried also
thanks
-- Martin, Gatineau, Québec
1 comment so far
Todd A. Clippinger
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5642 posts in 994 days
posted 519 days ago
If your boards lay side-by-side, as in a dining table top, you will experience more seasonal movement. You just have to accommodate it with your construction methods, but other than that I think you will be OK.
According to “Wood Identification and Use” by Terry Porter, red oak has a specific gravity of .77 and hard maple is rated at .72. In comparison, soft maple is rated at .55.
I imagine that your oak and hard maple would move similar. I mated ash and black walnut in a small project and they have the same difference in specific gravity and they move well together, but that is in a small project.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com