Scot Ferraro
12-23-2010, 4:14 PM
Hi everyone,
I am building a new computer desk out of Birds-eye maple. I got the top glued up and flattened and initial sanding done about a month ago. It has remained flat for several weeks in this semi-finished stage. We got a lot of rain over the last week (I live right where all the flooding and mudslides you have heard on the news are happening in Orange County) and the humidity has shot up to 90% or so. I noticed yesterday that the top has warped across its entire width by about 3/8 to 1/2 an inch or so. The size of the top is 32 inches wide by 65 inches long. There is no finish on it at all and I am able to pull it flat by putting it on some saw horses concave side down and by applying a lot of weight on the convex side. My question is, do you think I should make some calls and try to clamp it flat until I am ready to cut it to final size and finish it and do you think that will stay flat after I apply the finish? I do not have enough thickness to take it down any to remove the warp and I really do not want to build a new top with such expensive wood if I can avoid it. I could modify the design and build breadboard ends if that would work. I am hoping that it will flatten itself out in time...I can move it inside where it is not as humid until I am ready for final assembly. Should I wet the convex side and apply heat lamps to aid in drying? Any other suggestions? When I install the top it will be screwed into place with floating cleats to allow for movement.
Thanks in advance and I am hoping I can salvage the piece...
Scot
Thanks!
I am building a new computer desk out of Birds-eye maple. I got the top glued up and flattened and initial sanding done about a month ago. It has remained flat for several weeks in this semi-finished stage. We got a lot of rain over the last week (I live right where all the flooding and mudslides you have heard on the news are happening in Orange County) and the humidity has shot up to 90% or so. I noticed yesterday that the top has warped across its entire width by about 3/8 to 1/2 an inch or so. The size of the top is 32 inches wide by 65 inches long. There is no finish on it at all and I am able to pull it flat by putting it on some saw horses concave side down and by applying a lot of weight on the convex side. My question is, do you think I should make some calls and try to clamp it flat until I am ready to cut it to final size and finish it and do you think that will stay flat after I apply the finish? I do not have enough thickness to take it down any to remove the warp and I really do not want to build a new top with such expensive wood if I can avoid it. I could modify the design and build breadboard ends if that would work. I am hoping that it will flatten itself out in time...I can move it inside where it is not as humid until I am ready for final assembly. Should I wet the convex side and apply heat lamps to aid in drying? Any other suggestions? When I install the top it will be screwed into place with floating cleats to allow for movement.
Thanks in advance and I am hoping I can salvage the piece...
Scot
Thanks!