Replies

1. 
   LeeGrindinger | Dec 29, 2004 06:08pm | #1

   The wood is splitting along the lines of the medullary rays. Medullary rays are the passage ways for nutrients and water across the growth rings. These rays run perpendicular to the growth rings and are weaker than surrounding areas.

   Your wood split due to stress. It's impossible to determine why the stress was there but common causes are drying stresses, growth stresses, incompatible structure for the mating of glue surfaces or shrinkage due to environmental issues in your workspace.

   Lee

2. 
   UncleDunc | Dec 30, 2004 10:11am | #2

   The rays lie in a radial plane. Are you describing splits in a transverse plane, like cutting slices off the end of a board?

1. 
   leo1 | Dec 30, 2004 05:20pm | #3

   That's exactly what I mean - like slicing across the post.  The boards were not matched grain at all so I still can't figure it. 

1. 
   UncleDunc | Dec 31, 2004 07:19am | #4

   The only thing I can think of is reaction wood, usually cut from tree limbs or curved or leaning trunks. Bruce Hoadley's book Understanding Wood says, "Compression wood shrinks up to 10 to 20 times the normal amount." I can see how in a glue up that might be enough to pull a board apart.Not very helpful, I'm afraid.

2. 
   LeeGrindinger | Dec 31, 2004 06:28pm | #5

   Allright then, I'm stumped. It's possible the wood tissue was damaged when the tree was felled but this defect is readily apparrent.Seen any spaceships recently?Lee

1. 
   leo1 | Dec 31, 2004 06:48pm | #6

   Thanks for the input.  The boards for this post were not cut from the same tree so why would all 4 split at the same location  and across the  grain at that - I can't believe the stress from one would cause it.   The cracking started from the center.  Any more ideas?

1. 
   LeeGrindinger | Dec 31, 2004 07:21pm | #7

   A picture or two would be very helpful.Lee