Coyote Jim Posted June 25, 2020 Report Share Posted June 25, 2020 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted June 25, 2020 Report Share Posted June 25, 2020 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. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimayo Posted June 25, 2020 Report Share Posted June 25, 2020 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RichardA Posted June 25, 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 25, 2020 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. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Robby W Posted June 25, 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 25, 2020 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. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 26, 2020 Report Share Posted June 26, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post B1rdhunter Posted June 26, 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 26, 2020 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. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Coyote Jim Posted June 26, 2020 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted June 26, 2020 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. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 26, 2020 Report Share Posted June 26, 2020 Your back will thank you for double-checking! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted June 26, 2020 Report Share Posted June 26, 2020 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Sawdust Posted June 26, 2020 Report Share Posted June 26, 2020 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! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Coyote Jim Posted June 26, 2020 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted June 26, 2020 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!!!! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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