Woodworkers; I need some advice I made a game table for my son and having warping issues. I am...

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I made a game table for my son and having warping issues. I am going to replace it. Here is my question: I have 100+ year old barn boards. My plan is to use a planer; then fill in wormholes with melted crayons and of course use several layers of...

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kyredhead · 41-45, M

Yes, anytime you have a change in the moisture level warping can occur. If you can add some bracing on the underside it may minimize the changes.

trackman11 · 61-69, M

@kyredhead hmm. I know another solution might be to store boards in their home. Just not sure they have consistent moisture level. I will consider more bracing. Thanks.

anythingoes477 · M

One thing you can try.......is back sealing all wood with a sealer of some kind that penetrates. Boiled linseed oil for instance.......or varnish that has had a bit of Mineral Spirits added to it so it's thin-ish. Put on a coat..let it soak in and dry...then a second coat to finish the seal. Sand so the underside is smooth and then finish the top side as you like. Tung Oils do not really seal....to keep moisture (even humidity) out of the wood you will need a coat of something with a surface film.....varnish or Boiled Linseed oil.

trackman11 · 61-69, M

@anythingoes477 excellent. I did not realize that. Thanks 477. 🙂

anythingoes477 · M

@trackman11 Moisture can enter wood to make it warp...from BOTH sides. Sealing one side does virtually nothing to stop warp caused by humidity.

Virgo79 · 61-69, M

Give them time to acclimate in the area they will be in, then any warpage,shrink,swell will be done before you build it.

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Virgo79 · 61-69, M

@trackman11 I'm guessing they won't move much, home center lumber is the worst, lol

trackman11 · 61-69, M

@Virgo79 my original table was from boards bought at a local Lowe’s. I know that was part of the problem.

Virgo79 · 61-69, M

@trackman11 someplace that's an actual lumber supply would be best.

And normally cheaper

maxeen · 70-79, F

grandpa here..just built kitchen cabinets from old barn wood...
he stacked ..so bug bomb could go thru
he planed to size....keeping the wormholes..stained and sealed before installing...

no shrinkage or warping happened..

trackman11 · 61-69, M

@maxeen awesome. I am taking notes. My guess is my lack of experience will leave me with less success then grandpa. Thank you. 🙂

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trackman11 · 61-69, M

@bigoldfatcs thank you. That makes sense.

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MarmeeMarch · M

IDK if it is thick enough it shouldn't

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MarmeeMarch · M

@trackman11 Wait a second - I just thought of something - if you make little cuts under the table with a table saw it might not warp - but you have to figure out the grain - if it is long grain wood will tend to warp along the grain so I am thinking making the cuts perpendicular to the grain so the wood would have a hard time bending -warping

trackman11 · 61-69, M

@MarmeeMarch really? That makes sense. I will look into it.

MarmeeMarch · M

@trackman11 [media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oMX_XYbPvk]

trackman11 · 61-69, M

Thanks everyone. I will post the finished project with my gratitude for your tips.

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