Without getting into too much detail because the idea is still bouncing around in my head, but I am contemplating an idea for a coffee table with a solid top - probably plain sliced walnut. The finish would end up unbalanced top and bottom - bad juju, I know. I am thinking about using a sliding dovetail to attach the cross grain skirt pieces to the top, with the channel running out about 3/4" longer than the skirt in either direction. Would this allow for expansion and contraction in width while preventing cupping due to the differential in moisture change between the top and bottom surfaces? I know rift or quartered would be better, but I am probably going to make this out of drop from another project. I am not new to the fact that wood moves and designs need to keep this in mind, but while not new to the industry, I haven't made a lot of furniture. Do you think my strategy could work or is this an inherently flawed design that I should walk away from?

The sliding dovetail option has been done many times. Reasonable fit (not so tight that it could lock up when the skirt expands) and waxing the joint would allow just as much movement as a breadboard.

Why insist on an unbalanced finish on the top? Just do it right so you don't have to do extra work. Sliding dovetails that would totally eliminate any bow would have to be fit perfectly. Too loose and the top will cup, too tight and you won't get it driven home.

That's the rub Rich. We have a bunch of vintage photos that were left in a house I inherited. I was thinking it would be cool to have the photos laid out on the top with about 1/8" of clear epoxy on top of them. I am not afraid of having to fit a dovetail correctly, what I am not sure of is if the idea is flawed from inception. I am just looking for a little advice before I take the thought much further.

Can you put an 1/8" of epoxy on the underside as well?

I'm not certain about epoxying the bottom side. That is definitely outside of my wheelhouse, I haven't used epoxy for much more than filling knotholes.

You do know that epoxy severely yellows with age, right? But I see more and more people say "epoxy" when they refer to just about every form of catalyzed resin made. I sure wouldn't waste walnut to make a decoupage project!!!

Good to know about the yellowing Rich, thanks, I'll try to find a more appropriate coating. I wasn't really thinking decoupage level concentration of the photos, my intent is the wood would remain the star of the show. But regardless of personal taste, I appreciate the input. I am trying to think of things I could do that I haven't seen done, but Dave Sochar hits the nail on the head when he (frequently) points out that the reason designers have never seen something before is because someone already tried it and it was a really bad idea....

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