Replies

1. 
   Danceswithwoods | Mar 12, 2006 10:29pm | #1

   My opinion is to fill it with a clear, slow-set epoxy if you can't get another board.  At least you'll have the confidence that it is a solid piece afterward and that the crack is highly unlikely to spread further.

1. 
   BG | Mar 13, 2006 02:03pm | #2

   Danceswithwoods,
   Thanks, I'll try the epoxy.
   I went down to the shop last night to see just where this crack will end up in the finished product..and what stresses it will be subject too. Before I epoxy, I want to examine the opportunities for riping and re-gluing ...maybe rip on the bandsaw along the crack..don't know that kinda seam that would produce...hmmm.

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Mar 13, 2006 03:21pm | #3

   "I want to examine the opportunities for riping and re-gluing ...maybe rip on the bandsaw along the crack..don't know that kinda seam that would produce...hmmm."

   That's exactly what I would do, if the crack was straight enough to allow it. (And/or if your rough stock is wide enough to allow it.) I've never gotten very good results trying to glue cracks in place. I always end up redoing it properly later on when the crack reappears as they inevitably seem to do.

   If the crack is not straight and you don't have enough stock to simply rip the crack out and you want to try the bandsaw, I once saw a cabinet maker do what (I think) you are suggesting by your bandsaw comment. He used a saber saw with a fine blade on a huge table top to join two pieces along a curved joint line. He made a rough joint, glued it up, then saber-sawed the joint apart along the joint, and then re-glued the two pieces together. He repeated this process until the glue joint fit perfectly. If it was me, I would have used a router for a cleaner edge, but it seemed to work.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

1. 
   BG | Mar 13, 2006 04:06pm | #4

   Mike,
   Okay, let me ask a couple more questions. My stock is 4" wide and I need to have 2 7/8" wide to work. Question 1: If I bandsaw along the crack line(its an arch, kinda), will I get two pieces that marry together well...1/2"blade, 3/16" blade? Question 2: I may have enough stock to rip the piece twice(have not measured the arch yet)...and completly remove the crack...and then joint and re-glue. I think I'm realizing that if Question 2 works that would be the cleanest...but if it doesn't , will the Bandsaw give me a clean line? thanks

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Mar 13, 2006 04:28pm | #5

   "I think I'm realizing that if Question 2 works that would be the cleanest...but if it doesn't , will the Bandsaw give me a clean line?"

   Yes, option 2 would be your best bet. If at all possible, do it that way. As for the bandsaw giving a clean enough edge -- well, maybe. If I was going to try to do it this way, I'd use the finest tooth blade I had, sand the cut edge just a bit to take off the fuzz and probably use a poly glue since it does a bit better at filling any gaps that may exist. However, I would be surprised if this would work with just one cut. The crack would have to be perpendicular over its entire length -- otherwise, you wouldn't be able to cut it out with one pass. That's why my friend (in my prior post) did this process in multiple steps of cutting/glueing.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

2. 
   BG | Mar 13, 2006 04:45pm | #6

   Mike,
   Opps, hadn't thought of that, the crack is not perpendicular to the face. I'll go to the shop soon and see how much trouble I can create for myself..thanks

3. 
   Danceswithwoods | Mar 13, 2006 07:04pm | #7

   The bandsawing to remove the split altogether sounds like a great idea, but it will take a good bit of patience in sanding, rasping, etc. to make that line as invisible as you seem to want.   Whichever you choose, post the result for the benefit of the rest of us.  Good luck!

4. 
   BG | Mar 13, 2006 11:30pm | #8

   Danceswithwoods,

   Actually, it was even less complicated than initially thought. The crack was removable by taking a 3/4" wide slice out of the board. I ripped on the table saw, hit both edges with the #7 and glued up...can't see the seam.

5. 
   Danceswithwoods | Mar 14, 2006 12:22am | #10

   Well...Glad to hear your solution worked well.  From the initial posting I presumed that you were without extra material at all and kinda down to the finished product.  Are we soon to see a posting in The Gallery?

6. 
   BG | Mar 14, 2006 03:21am | #11

   Danceswithwoods,
   Alas, I don't have a camera. I'm just fooling around in the shop making a couple of mahognay trays for the kids. When I don't have any big projects these small things keep the skills honed, and yet, not to much time in a rather cold shop. They are all made from one piece of donnage..I strive to line up the grain all around, dovetails, etc...just for fun....and experiment with the finish.

2. 
   BG | Mar 13, 2006 11:31pm | #9

   Mike,

   Thanks, it worked well. See post to Danceswithwood