Table Top Board Selection

[Coyote Jim]

I'm going to be doing my first ever large table top. The final dimensions will be around 40" x 96", maybe 40" x 108". 

I'm going to use 8/4 white oak. Assuming there are no fires to put out at work I will be purchasing all the lumber I need tomorrow (Friday).

This being my first big table top my question for you experts is:

When picking out my boards what should I be looking out for? What are the red flags? 

[Chestnut]

If your making a table this big the thing I'd be most interested in is being able to joint them strait and not loose all of the board. a 96 or 108" table is massive....

Not really too much else to be concerned with other than surface checking or end checks. Don't want cracks to propogate through a top that big.

[Wimayo]

Other than being free of cracks, splits, checks, as Chestnut pointed out, your choices would be a matter of appearance. If you don't already know, do some research on white oak flat sawn vs. rift sawn vs. quarter sawn. Each will give you a completely different look.

[RichardA]

Quarter sawn not only looks better, It's much more stable than flat sawn, by at least a two to one margin. QSWO is what you want, Can you afford it is another matter. Often , Price doesn't enter into it if your going to build something that will at least outlive your grandchildren. And the flecking in the wood affords you a dare, for good match up.

[Robby W]

When you glue the top up, be sure to have the grain running in the same direction so you can plane it without worrying about grain direction. 

I also suggest you use a slightly sprung joint so you don't get splits on the glueline near the ends of the top. I also personally prefer that all boards be oriented with the rings in the same direction. That way, you can take the cup out of the top with a single screw at the center.

Finally, with a top that big and thick, buy some good beer to have around when you have to get your buddies to help you move or flip it. It is going to weight several hundred pounds.

[wtnhighlander]

Amen to @Robby W's last statement. That is a massive table top.

What construction method are you planning? If the heavy appearance is what you need, but not so much the weight, consider using 4/4 and blocking up the sides and ends. Might save you a hernia surgery.

At those dimensions, I assume some type of trestle or double pedestal base. In that case, the blocked edges let you hide the pedestal tops and any battens you want in the recess created by the inverted 'box' structure of the top.

[B1rdhunter]

You will want to do breadboard ends and drawbore them so that it stays flat no matter what. This top is 115" x 40" in QSWO.

[Coyote Jim]

So....this is embarrassing.

You know the old saying "Measure twice cut once."?

I re-measured the kitchen and....well....I have absolutely no idea where I got 108" from. Honestly I'm baffled. The kitchen will only accommodate a 6' table.

I do believe all of the above advice is still sound though.

[wtnhighlander]

Your back will thank you for double-checking!

[Mark J]

8 hours ago, Coyote Jim said:

So....this is embarrassing.

You know the old saying "Measure twice cut once."?

There's a reason that it's a well know and old saying.  

Not gonna say "been there done that", but I may have a couple of the T-shirts.

[Chip Sawdust]

9 hours ago, Coyote Jim said:

So....this is embarrassing.

You know the old saying "Measure twice cut once."?

I re-measured the kitchen and....well....I have absolutely no idea where I got 108" from. Honestly I'm baffled. The kitchen will only accommodate a 6' table.

I do believe all of the above advice is still sound though.

I say build the table to original dimensions and remodel the kitchen! 

[Coyote Jim]

1 hour ago, Chip Sawdust said:

I say build the table to original dimensions and remodel the kitchen! 

DELETE THIS BEFORE MY WIFE SEES IT!!!!