Dutchman / Butterfly thickness

[Bill McNiel]

Any input as to a Rule of Thumb for the depth (thickness) for dutchmen? I am currently working with highly figured maple that I have milled to approx. 2 3/8" thick and has a fair number of checks/cracks. I am thinking that 50 - 60% is reasonable (that equates to about 1 1/4" thick) but am soliciting input. The cracks are epoxy filled.

Thanks for any ideas.

[Mark Bolton]

Any input as to a Rule of Thumb for the depth (thickness) for dutchmen? I am currently working with highly figured maple that I have milled to approx. 2 3/8" thick and has a fair number of checks/cracks. I am thinking that 50 - 60% is reasonable (that equates to about 1 1/4" thick) but am soliciting input. The cracks are epoxy filled.

Thanks for any ideas.

For structural defects we just make them full thickness provided the router can reach (your 2 3/8" is approaching the limit). I mill the butterfly stock in long lengths on the table saw and mill the cavity with a router/template/bushing and a 3" bit. For cosmetics, 1/4 - 3/8 is all I do.

[Bill McNiel]

Thanks for the input Mark.