Any woodwork experts about?

[tomsutton529]

Good evening folks.

I build a table a few weeks ago and the top of it has started to "cup".. I have read that I have two options in my capability. Heat the convex side to gain an even moisture content through the board or wet the concave side which will allow the board to go back to the straight state...

I like the idea of wetting the board and I can get some more screws into it and get it sealed quickly. So When it says to wet it, are we talking wiping over with a sponge everyday or throwing it in the bath??

Once its back to shape with this wetting process, will getting some more screws into it be enough to keep it in shape should it dry out again, although it shouldn't once its sealed.

Cheers chaps.

 

[brightspark]

what material type. size and thickness

 

[Shedendman]

^^^^ as he said,what type of wood?

 

[p0689109]

Any photos??

 

[mike os]

all the above are a bodge and it will happen again... pics required

 

[Wendelspanswick]

As above, wetting or heating is only a temporary bodge.
Cupping is a result of using boards that have to high a moisture content, as a fix you could rip some cuts partially through the boards from the underside, say half the board thickness. If you use a handheld circular saw you can start and finish your cuts about an inch from the board ends so the cuts won't be visible from the top.

 

[Shedendman]

Still need to know what wood/timber it is,not easy without knowing,steaming might help with the added heat

 

[Wendelspanswick]

For future reference it's good practice when joining boards to alternate the grain on the boards so if you do get any cupping it forms a ripple effect rather than one big curve.

 

[Hitch]

How about adding a breadboard edge to the ends...once flatter...
Is it firmly screwed to the frame? Usually a good idea to allow for expansion/contraction. Working loads of screws into it may cause you more problems.

 

[the snooper]

Kiln dried timber is the way to go

 

[tomsutton529]

Its made from scaffolding boards. If I get it back to shape but add some more batons and some good screws will it still cup? I will get some pics when I next move off the sofa.

removing wood isn't really and option as I don't have the equipment, time or wanting to reduce the thickness of the table.

once this cupping is sorted the whole table is going to be waxed, is this enough to seal it?

 

[brightspark]

scaffy planks are rough sawn off the mill and full of moisture what do u expect .it will dry out and warp u have no chance .live with it or buy some decent timber

 

[tomsutton529]

 

[Shedendman]

Once scaffold boards have cupped,warped or curved theres no way going back,you got to remember these things were made for outside all depends how old they are and what spruce they are made from.
How are they joined on the butt edge,dowelled,or biscuit?
Is this table furniture or a worktop come bench?

opps posted before i saw the pics

 

[Wendelspanswick]

You need to join your planks at the edges otherwise they will move all the time.
Either a loose tongue in grooves, biscuits or dowels.

 

[Shedendman]

As i thought,no fix on the edges

 

[brightspark]

As i thought,no fix on the edges

still no good as it needs to be seasoned wood

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Wood is not like steel, it moves all the time so you have to allow for that in your design. Just screwing the individual planks to a steel frame and expecting them to stay put is asking for trouble.

 

[Shedendman]

Looking at that,once its gone its gone,sorry but at that length theres no going back

 

[mike os]

bad choice of timber I am afraid, thats never going back