Replies

1. 
   Eef | Dec 09, 2008 05:33am | #1

   hey jump,

   funny you should ask, just today i was gluing up a 16"x30" pine panel and the age-old growth ring orientation debate started up again in my head. i looked at what i was doing and said to myself, "screw it."
   when i have alternated the rings i've gotten a wavy warp. and when i've oriented all the same way, i've gotten a warp all in one direction.
   i can't offer you scientific explanation. my old woodworking books are all for alternation. i'm not being much help, am i? getting my rough lumber carefully face-jointed and then planing equal amounts from both sides of the board seems to work well for me. i'm sure many other fine fellow knotheads will pipe in any time now...

   welcome back to woodworking, by the way.

   eef

2. 
   Samson | Dec 09, 2008 05:41am | #2

   Like most things in woodworking, the answer is it depends.  Hard fast rules are hard to come by.  Like the previous poster says, alternating growth rings risks a wavy warp across the panel and similar oriented rings risk a larger single warp, or all sorts of variations depending up how the boards you are using were cut from what size tree etc. etc.  So you have to think about what the panel is going to be - how it will be secured by other parts of the project to resist what sorts of potential warping and so on.  In the end it is best to use well dried wood that has acclimated to your shop and been carefully four squared, well-jointed, and well-clamped , and orient the grain in the panel for cosmetic reasons (bestlooking grain pattern and color matches) as opposed to in way intended to offset warping.

1. 
   jumpminow | Dec 09, 2008 06:54am | #3

   Samson:

   Thanks much. Exactly what I wanted to know.

3. 
   stantheman | Dec 10, 2008 08:49pm | #4

   Jumpminow

   Just my amateur opinion, but I prefer to orient the boards  based on best appearance, whichever way that is.

1. 
   Eef | Dec 11, 2008 12:22am | #5

   stm,

   without a doubt, this is most important to me also.  i think this is probably so for most of us.  thanks for pointing out the obvious.

   eef

4. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 12, 2008 03:11am | #6

   alternate the growth rings opposite each other..

   I do not think Tage Frid bothered to do it?

5. 
   GRW | Dec 13, 2008 03:00am | #7

   I orient the rings when I can, but I favor choosing by best looking grain match/pattern. The way I see it,  if it warps (one big cup, or oriented) the table top will be removed and replaced. Haven't had to replace one yet. Knock on wood. Maybe it's because I only use well seasoned materials. Or it could be my poor eye sight.

6. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 13, 2008 03:45am | #8

   Alternating the growth rings is a Normism, and isn't necessary.  What is necessary is to use stable stock that has been flattened, planed, and jointed properly, and is in equilibrium with your shop.  Orient the boards for appearance.

   Jeff

1. 
   jumpminow | Dec 13, 2008 04:05am | #9

   Jeff-leath:

   Thanks, I needed that.