How to make tabletop with strips from different timber species?

[alfredx]

Hi Community,

I am thinking to make a tabletop for a side table of rough size 36cmX45cm, with timber strips of 40mmX40mm from Tas Oak and Spotted Gum, (or Blackbutt), so that it looks better with contrasting colours. I have heard people saying it is bad idea to glue different timbers together which will later cause problems when timber expands and contracts while different timber have different rates in these movements. I have also heard that using special glue like Polyurethane wood glue or Gorila wood glue can reduce the impact of different rates of contraction. So I wanted to seek advice from community to see how similar situations are really going in real life experience, is my idea a dumb idea, or worth giving it a try?

Thanks,

Alfred

[EricL]

Hello @alfredx 

I've seen a great number of chopping boards assembled using different types of wood and I've never seen any of them come apart after being glued together. I have used Selleys 460ml Aquadhere Polyurethane Wood Glue Durabond Adhesive on a number of projects and I find that it provides superior holding power. I suppose if it were for a larger project then the possibility of larger movement becomes more pronounced. But for smaller projects it would not be so severe.

Let me call on our experienced members @fhk56, @PeakyBlinder71, @Arcc, @kel and @Dave-1 for their recommendations. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[PeakyBlinder71]

Alfredx,

Whoever told you laminating different species of wood together is a bad idea is quite frankly talking out of their backside. If this was the case, we would see millions of people around the world complaining that their chess boards were coming apart.

Alfredx,

Whoever told you that gluing different timbers together is a bad idea is talking crap, they must have never seen a butcher block, a parquet floor, or a chessboard. If wood movement were that catastrophic, we'd all be playing chess on bare tables and eating off metal slabs. Yes, different species expand and contract at different rates, but unless you're planning to leave your table outside in the sun, rain, and a hurricane all at once, you should be fine. Just make sure your timber is well-dried, use a good adhesive, polyurethane is overkill for what you need, use Titebond II or III, and clamp it properly. Worst case? You get a bit of movement over time -best case? You’ve got a gorgeous tabletop with natural contrast that people will envy.

Go forth, glue, and conquer!

[alfredx]

Thanks @EricL , thanks for sharing your experience, that sounds pretty positive. And I hear people say using thin strips can reduce the impacts of movements from different timbers, what I am not sure is whether in my case using 40mmX40mm timber would be considered 'thin' or not. 

[EricL]

Hi @alfredx 

If your timber pieces are properly seasoned and planed properly you should get a strong positive join even if they are 40mm thick. Using the right compression clamps will definitely help secure your tables structure. 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good morning @alfredx 

I have buit a table with various recyled hardwood timbers. Its still going strong  Dining table build and seats reupholstering in case you want to look at it.

If you have a planner, then you should have no issues, I only had a hand electric planner so it was hard to match up the surfaces. I did but no way would you call it "smooth and level" 

I used timber glue to bond the pieces together and also three threaded bars. Way over engineered and over the top thinking it out. I could have used some strips of timber supports to make sure they boards stayed together instead of drilling through them all. Live and learn

Some decent wide clamps is one thing Id suggest, When I was compressing my boards and glue (much larger then your side table) they did want to bow a resonable amount. 

The table hasnt seperated, the glue is still going strong and Ive only oiled it the three coats of oil when I first built it. Any imperfections you might end up with adds to the story and also the learning curve It would be a nice project to post up here btw  

Dave

[alfredx]

Many thanks gents, it really helps me getting confident to go ahead to try this out.

@PeakyBlinder71 I am having the table top used indoors, no sun or rain. I will probably put a varnish once finished, hopefully can help reduce impact from moisture changes.

@Dave-1 impressive how you used template and long bit to join boards threaded, is this threading what you meant by over engineering? I was also thinking to create dowel joints between boards so they stick together tighter, sounds like this is actually unnecessary esp. considering tabletop size is small in my case? Regarding planner, unfortunately I don't have planner, was thinking just use electric sander to do best-effort. 

[Dave-1]

Morning @alfredx 

Yeah the threaded rod was what I was meaning about over engineering Looks very industrial tho But really I could have cheated and only done the sides of the table  

The main thing I found is it was hard to accuratly line up the holes (or dowel) It joins them nicely but even half a mm out will require a bunch of sanding. For the size of table you are thinking of I would think glue alone will be fine. Especially if you have rails underneath to support legs. Have you done a sketch of what you want and how it will be supported? I find while figuring out how to do the sketch and the dimensions it shows up things I have missed.

Dave

[alfredx]

@Dave-1 yes, I have a sketch of the side table (tabletop and tableside) - warning of my terrible writing and drawing! The main idea for tabletop is stripes and tableside is checkers, where the timber species aligns from tabletop to tableside. In below photo the blank blocks in tableside are actually voided (no timber). I guess I didn't plan for a strong rail or apron, the nearest support to tabletop is piece of tas oak of 12mm thick.

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @alfredx 

Nice sketching

I am thinking of lateral movement as I go through your sketch. Does that outer edge stay solid all the way to the other leg? or is the table a large upside down U? If its solid (or cut out segmants) then Ithink it will hold up well. If its an updide down U it may want to lean with time especially if you come in against the end of the table frequently. It will weaken the joins as it gets bumped.

I think it will look stunning when you have completed it. I do like the holy legs

Dave