Harley Friedman
12-15-2009, 8:18 AM
I'm a newbie, so please forgive me if this is a dumb question.
As a holiday project, I'm trying to do a version of this scrabble board (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=15022). I'm not crazy enough to try to do anything this fancy -- I'm making a math game for my kids, wanted to try to make a board with ridges to keep the pieces in place. My frame is MUCH simpler than this one.
So, I started with 3/8 baltic ply, ran it over the TS with a blade with an 1/8" kerf to create the first set of grooves. Cut 1/8" oak strips and glued them in. Turned the board 90 degrees and did the same, and then glued a second set of strips in. I built the whole thing bigger than I needed, and then trimmed the edges down to size. So far, so good. I was feeling pretty proud of myself.
Then I got to adding the frame on, and discovered that the board wasn't flat any more. It's now bowed with the edges/corners higher than the middle. It definitely was flat when I started. I assume that the act of gluing those strips in has pulled the board out of shape.
Which leads to two questions:
1. What could I have done to avoid this in the first place?
2. What can I do to save it, if anything?
I do have some guesses, but looking for knowledge.
As for #1, I have several ideas. I expect the main problem was starting with stock that was too thin. I wonder if I had started with 1/2 ply if I would be in better shape.
Also, the oak strips had some bend to them -- the board I started with seemed quite flat, but once I cut a strip that was 1/8 x 1/2 each strip was no longer quite straight. I glued them in with the highest point in the middle, and clamped them down, because that was the easiest thing to do. Interestingly, if this was the problem I would expect the board to be warped the other way (center highest). Perhaps I should have alternated the warps so they would "cancel each other out?"
Last, I used regular wood glue rather than CA. Is that causing the problem?
As for #2, how to save this project, I have a few ideas also:
A. Don't. I have plenty more material. Suck it up and start over.
B. Glue each edge of the frame on one at a time, clamping the board and the frame to a flat surface. (I can't figure out how I would clamp the whole thing at once, but I can clamp each side one at a time)
C. Option B, but reinforce each side with a spline running the length of the joint.
D. Option B, but reinforce each side with some dowels.
Thanks for help in advance!
As a holiday project, I'm trying to do a version of this scrabble board (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=15022). I'm not crazy enough to try to do anything this fancy -- I'm making a math game for my kids, wanted to try to make a board with ridges to keep the pieces in place. My frame is MUCH simpler than this one.
So, I started with 3/8 baltic ply, ran it over the TS with a blade with an 1/8" kerf to create the first set of grooves. Cut 1/8" oak strips and glued them in. Turned the board 90 degrees and did the same, and then glued a second set of strips in. I built the whole thing bigger than I needed, and then trimmed the edges down to size. So far, so good. I was feeling pretty proud of myself.
Then I got to adding the frame on, and discovered that the board wasn't flat any more. It's now bowed with the edges/corners higher than the middle. It definitely was flat when I started. I assume that the act of gluing those strips in has pulled the board out of shape.
Which leads to two questions:
1. What could I have done to avoid this in the first place?
2. What can I do to save it, if anything?
I do have some guesses, but looking for knowledge.
As for #1, I have several ideas. I expect the main problem was starting with stock that was too thin. I wonder if I had started with 1/2 ply if I would be in better shape.
Also, the oak strips had some bend to them -- the board I started with seemed quite flat, but once I cut a strip that was 1/8 x 1/2 each strip was no longer quite straight. I glued them in with the highest point in the middle, and clamped them down, because that was the easiest thing to do. Interestingly, if this was the problem I would expect the board to be warped the other way (center highest). Perhaps I should have alternated the warps so they would "cancel each other out?"
Last, I used regular wood glue rather than CA. Is that causing the problem?
As for #2, how to save this project, I have a few ideas also:
A. Don't. I have plenty more material. Suck it up and start over.
B. Glue each edge of the frame on one at a time, clamping the board and the frame to a flat surface. (I can't figure out how I would clamp the whole thing at once, but I can clamp each side one at a time)
C. Option B, but reinforce each side with a spline running the length of the joint.
D. Option B, but reinforce each side with some dowels.
Thanks for help in advance!