underestimating cedar movement

[Matt Truiano]

i made your typical cooler stand out of cedar. to right, theres a table top area with an inset lid that opens up to storage inside. i left the lid 3/16" smaller than the opening to allow for wood moment.  Boy was that not enough. what was a sloppy lid in the sunshine, is a lid so tight that the entire unit lifts up when trying to lift the lid after it rains because it gets so tight. 

i have videos to show but this forum doesn't allow video files. 

the outside of the stand is coated in 4 coats of water based poly but all the insides are left unfinished. Partly because of laziness. partly because i wanted to preserve the smell of the natural cedar. I am to assume this is the reason why it expands so much? would sealing both sides of the wood prevent this?

[drzaius]

Applying a finish will only slow the movement of moisture, not stop it. It also helps to keep the wood from cupping from uneven moisture gain/loss. I think the only thing to do here is to just take some off the edges of the lid to provide more clearance.

[Mark J]

Agree with DrZ.

You can't post a video directly, but you can put it on YouTube, then include a link.

[drzaius]

Or even a couple of pics to show the construction.

[Matt Truiano]

 hers a video link 

[Chestnut]

I think finish will help slow down the expansion and contraction but won't solve the problem. I'd trim it down so it just barley fit when wet. Unfortunately flat sawn cedar seems like it expands and contracts a lot.

[Pondhockey]

On the other hand, I made Mark's "not so rustic" table from Western Red Cedar, finished first with clear epoxy sealer then with varnish, and after a couple of winters on the back deck (under a roof) have had no problems from wood movement.  Not quite the same application, and our climates might be different (Idaho mountains for me.)  I'd at least try completing the finish.