[Woodworkers] So I was gifted this bar.

Mon Feb 29 12:37:56 PST 2016

This top is destined for trouble no matter what you do. Whoever made this created a very bad cross grain problem here.  The walnut in the center is going to shrink and expand more than the lighter colored wood across the width of the top.  If you fill the cracks where the walnut is and then this top absorbs any moisture, then I can see where the center of this table will split away from the oak edges wherever the cross grain meets the oak edges.  I would go with the glass top suggestion and just consider the existing splits as "character".  Also offer a disclaimer for anyone who visits you that you did not make this top.  It was "inherited".

Vince Granacher

From: Doug via Woodworkers 
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2016 8:47 AM
To: woodworkers at sawdusters.org ; 'Harvey Freeman' ; 'Roy Shrove' 
Subject: Re: [Woodworkers] So I was gifted this bar.

I spent some time on this thing yesterday.  As I was cleaning the old fill out (finally got to use my Fein) I made an observation that all of the cracked/damaged woods are walnut.  The oak has not moved that I can tell.  I have a fair understanding of wood movement, normally you see a piece swell then shrink.  These seem to have just shrunk, no sign of swell.  Do you think our builder may have used wet walnut?  If so, I would feel much better about filling the cracks.  I have some 4/4 walnut that I could cut into strips and put in instead of filler in some of the worst offenders.  I don’t kid myself that I can match what’s in there but thought that might be a better way to go than just epoxy. 

I like the idea of the all thread but just don’t think I could make that happen and not sure it’s necessary.  

From: Woodworkers [mailto:woodworkers-bounces at lists.sawdusters.org] On Behalf Of Harvey Freeman via Woodworkers
Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2016 3:04 PM
To: woodworkers at sawdusters.org; Roy Shrove
Subject: Re: [Woodworkers] So I was gifted this bar.

Many years ago in my first course, Materials of Architecture, at the School of Architecture the prof said “ always remember that wood is never dead”.

All thread can do a good job on reassembling bowling alley wood but this example has wood going both directions.  I would put it as is under a tempered glass top and use it as a bar top and conversation piece.

My 5 cents worth because Canada stopped using pennies several years ago.

Harvey in Halifax

From: Roy Shrove via Woodworkers 

Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2016 12:59 PM

To: woodworkers at sawdusters.org ; Richard Allen 

Subject: Re: [Woodworkers] So I was gifted this bar.

I have been thinking about your problem and was thinking about an unconventional recommendation that I saw used on some old bowling alley planks I once obtained.  

I am unclear about the extent that you can disassemble the top, but there may be a way around this if dis-assembly is not in the cards. Have you considered using something like all-thread to effectively pull the various pieces together and then use big washers and nuts to provide a immovable rod to hold everything together regardless of wood movement? 

If dis-assembly is an option drill center line through each piece then fish some 1/4 - 1/2 (the bigger the better) all-thread across the width/length then mechanically draw everything tightly together, covered by the finish of your choice. If dis-assembly is out, beg/borrow steal...er..buy an extended length auger bit similar to those used by electricians and plumbers to create a path for the all-thread then proceed as above. 

Granted this is not the best solution, but it would save the basic look and material while providing some artificial stability that is obviously needed.

My 2.34 cents....YMMV

Roy

On Sat, Feb 27, 2016 at 8:58 AM, Richard Allen via Woodworkers <woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> wrote:

Hi Doug,

I agree that there has to be some middle ground.  I also like the pattern of the wood.  

Put a coat or two of finish on the top (not to sure about filling the cracks as the wood is likely to continue swell and contract).  However, covering the finished piece, cracks and all, with glass would make a nice looking bar.  

You could fill the cracks with something flexible like silicon caulk.  You should be able to get caulk in black if you like black.  I might consider a bright color like red or blue to feature the cracks instead of trying to hide the cracks.  Covering the top with glass gives a chance to see and celebrate the top.

On Feb 26, 2016, at 8:15 PM, Doug via Woodworkers <woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> wrote:

  So that’s it?  No other suggestions?  I gotta do something here or the GF’s family is going to be pretty disappointed.  They don’t know wood movement and they all came together to get this for me because of my failing health.  My knee jerk reaction was firewood but that’s just not in the cards.  I certainly agree with Mr. Allen, I’m facing an uphill battle here but can probably pull off something to appease the masses.  Richard, please take no offense, but I have to try something, might even put a glass top on or something.  I will for sure  seal it from the back just to try to stabilize it but I’m a little reluctant to go whole hog with the epoxy.  Sure I could put a gallon of west coast against it and may do so but I thought the list would be a little more creative. J

  DIAZ

  From: Woodworkers [mailto:woodworkers-bounces at lists.sawdusters.org] On Behalf Of Doug via Woodworkers
  Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2016 6:04 AM
  To: woodworkers at sawdusters.org
  Subject: [Woodworkers] So I was gifted this bar.

My girlfriends family decided that considering my health, they would get together and give me a bar. They found this at the Brass Armadillo and as you can see, it is in less than stellar condition. I had to remove the top coat so my buddy could run the top through the big timesaver sander where he works.  Naturally I had to strip the front if I ever hoped to make them match.  This is a homemade piece and I’m sure the guy/girl put a lot of time into making it but unfortunately just wasn’t quite there when it came to wood choices.  I have many large cracks I need to deal with.  He/she even put bondo in one section.  Before I saw how bad the cracks were I had thought of using epoxy and India ink to fill the gaps. I plan to make this much darker (dark walnut) to make it try to match the pieces in the place it is going.  My question is, since I have so many cracks to deal with, should I change my strategy and go with a filler or stick with the black epoxy?  <image001.jpg> <image002.jpg> <image003.jpg>  

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