I'm working on building a 2" thick table using 1" oak planks, and I need some advice on the best glue-up strategy. Should I: A - glue the planks together to create 2" sections and then do the panel glue-up, B - glue them lengthwise into thinner panels first before assembling them (which I'm not a fan of), or C - use a different method like half-lapping the pieces together like a Lego tabletop? I'd really appreciate insights from anyone who's experienced with this kind of project!
2 Answers
Honestly, I'd recommend option A. Laminating a large panel can lead to complications, especially if your panels aren't exactly the same. Different expansion rates might mess with the glue bond, and honestly, that can lead to a lot of headaches later. If you're up for the challenge, option A should work well for you!
I'd go with option A too. Gluing them lengthwise like in B can make it tricky to apply even pressure, unless everything is perfectly flat (which is rare). As a fun thought, option C could be cool, like making a giant cutting board look. Just picture those 1" planks cut into 1"x2" pieces!
I actually made some steel cauls for clamping, which made a lengthwise glue-up easier for me. Just food for thought!
Wow, cutting them that way could look really neat—like a butcher block! I love that idea.