Iv been thinking about building a dinning table out of beech, I really like the small ray flecks and warm brown color. My only concern is that I have heard horror stories of this wood being bad as far as movement. Has anyone build a large project out of this wood or does anyone have an alternative wood choice thats similar but more stable? Or with good kiln dried lumber do you see the movement as being a big problem?
Err make that beech not beach, although add a beer and that sounds nice as well
“Err make that beech not beach” Edited title for you. Hope you don’t mind. Slainte.
Edited 11/30/2009 3:35 pm ET by wiskytango
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A maple board that is ALMOST quartersawn will have the same ray flecking...small and dense. Much more available too, I think.
Agree with horror stories & you.
Neat looking stuff but pretzles like hell. Small stuff ok,, but doors and drawers that fit today will jamb tomorrow.
DO NOT use beech for any large glue-up like a tabletop. I once was tempted and made an entertainment console for a client out of 6/4 European beech. Six months later the only thing I could do with the unit was put it in my storeroom to hold hinges and stuff. Made the client a new unit from beech veneer, and let the original piece remind me of my folly.
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1
Ok this is pretty much what i was expecting to hear, Sounds like im looking for a new flavor of wood.
thanks
That is surprising, many European workbenches, butcher blocks, kitchen counters etc are made of beech (I had a beech kitchen counter, too, and half a dozen delicate looking beech chairs have been holding up very well). Many European wood toys as are made of beech as well (but wood movement is often less critical in, say, a dollhouse). In my experience in working with German beech it is very stable, but as others seem to have had issues, so I guess it would be a risk. Sycamore may also be a suitable beautiful substitute.
Last year, I built several cabinets for a customer from steamed beech and beech ply. Earlier this year, I built ~60 lf of stair railing as well as two fireplace mantles for the same customer. Right now, we're working on the final design for three occasional tables and a replacement top for a coffee table they have.
So far, everything has held up very well
I just ordered a hundred bdft of 4/4 American Beech to make some furniture. I hope I didn't make a mistake.
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