I will be renovating my home office, and in the progress get frames for height adjustable tables. Due to the somewhat odd dimensions I need I'll have to build the tabletops myself.
I have my heart set on Cherry, but due to time, space and shop restrictions a solid glue up is sadly out of the question (maybe later). So I am thinking of picture-framing cherry plywood with 1 2/2 x 1 1/2 solid cherry (or whatever dimension I can find) so I can build it up a bit and machine a generous round-over onto the edge. Most work has to be done in-place (speak in the house).
Amateur questions (sorry, there are many):
- Is that going to work, or will the solid border expand and contract too much over time and kill the joins? Longest solid edge will be 60".
- Can I get away just butting the edge onto the ply with glue, or am I better off cutting a rabbit into the edging for more glue surface? Do I use biscuits (I'd prefer not so there is no danger of exposing them when applying the round-over)?
- Because parts will be permanently covered, I can't let it light-age. So I am thinking of using a gel stain to bring out the cherry tones right away. Any recommendations?
- I plan on using gel PU finish, because It'll maintain a bit of the wood texture, dries quick and is dead-easy to work with. Or am I better off using wipe-on?
- It would safe a lot of time if I would not need to finish the underside. Bad idea because of the way humidity will affect top and bottom different, or not a big deal because it is plywood?
Sorry, I know those are many questions... But I'd appreciate any tips. Will have to work at those desks for many years (unless I decide to replace the surfaces eventually), so I'd prefer not to hate them! The last ones ("just temporary until we have time and money to look for something better") ended up being in use for 20+ years!
Thanks
Gerd
I have my heart set on Cherry, but due to time, space and shop restrictions a solid glue up is sadly out of the question (maybe later). So I am thinking of picture-framing cherry plywood with 1 2/2 x 1 1/2 solid cherry (or whatever dimension I can find) so I can build it up a bit and machine a generous round-over onto the edge. Most work has to be done in-place (speak in the house).
Amateur questions (sorry, there are many):
- Is that going to work, or will the solid border expand and contract too much over time and kill the joins? Longest solid edge will be 60".
- Can I get away just butting the edge onto the ply with glue, or am I better off cutting a rabbit into the edging for more glue surface? Do I use biscuits (I'd prefer not so there is no danger of exposing them when applying the round-over)?
- Because parts will be permanently covered, I can't let it light-age. So I am thinking of using a gel stain to bring out the cherry tones right away. Any recommendations?
- I plan on using gel PU finish, because It'll maintain a bit of the wood texture, dries quick and is dead-easy to work with. Or am I better off using wipe-on?
- It would safe a lot of time if I would not need to finish the underside. Bad idea because of the way humidity will affect top and bottom different, or not a big deal because it is plywood?
Sorry, I know those are many questions... But I'd appreciate any tips. Will have to work at those desks for many years (unless I decide to replace the surfaces eventually), so I'd prefer not to hate them! The last ones ("just temporary until we have time and money to look for something better") ended up being in use for 20+ years!
Thanks
Gerd
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