Conference table
12/5/17
We have a customer that wants a wood conference table 54" by 14' and would like some input on holding this much wood together. Our thoughts are 4/4 quarter sawn white oak glued to 3/4" mdf with 3/4" x 1 1/2" edge band around table to cover wood and mdf edges. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
12/5/17 #2: Conference table ...
Quarter sawn white oak veneer laminated to mdf with a balanced match layup would be a viable option. Gluing up 4/4 white oak to mdf would likely result in some very expensive potato chip shaped panels...
12/5/17 #3: Conference table ...
I'd never glue solid wood to mdf.
12/5/17 #4: Conference table ...
The way you are talking this will not end well.
Sub it out, talk to Paul Downs.
12/6/17 #5: Conference table ...
Would replacing the mdf with 3/4" 12 ply Baltic birch and glueing be a better option? Also putting a 8/4 bread board end to keep the table flat help. The customer is not opposed to some metal cross braces to help keeping table from curling.
12/6/17 #6: Conference table ...
Your ideas demonstrate a lack of understanding of wood movement. Hardwood will grow and shrink with humidity, the sheet goods (BB and MDF) will not. That will give two rates of change which will warp as has been already suggested. Look up bimetallic strip and you will get the idea.
I would be concerned that you are going to get into a hole on this project. You might want to consider subletting as has already been suggested.
12/6/17 #7: Conference table ...
I recommend reading Bruce Hoadley’s book “Understanding Wood”. Your two solutions show a lack of knowledge about some pretty basic and mandatory properties of working with wood.
Like Pat said...this will not end well. Contact a shop that’s capable of executing this.
12/6/17 #8: Conference table ...
This may be of interest: http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Huge_Round_Conference_Table_Construction.htm
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