Reply by Granddaddy1

Was the table made from construction lumber? Construction grade lumber is sold dried to 19% moisture content, or in some cases even green (douglas fir/larch and sometimes hem-fir), which can start out over 30% mc. Finish grades of lumber are dried to 8 – 10% moisture content, which would result in significantly less wood movement as the material acclimates to it’s final environment.

Even with better stock for the application this situation will exist because of cross grain vs. long grain movement differences. I think what’s shown in your picture illustrates the character of a quality hand crafted piece.

-- Ron Wilson - maker of fine firewood!