Walnut dining table

[Ray Turney]

A friend of mine just bought a walnut dining table with 6 chairs (stole it really, it's beautiful) and the leaves were missing, and he wanted me to make new ones. I made him new ones and said he could stain and finish them. My question is, should he finish the underside too, or just leave it unfinished to let it breathe, expand contract whatever. Why is it that most older tables have the leaves missing?

[Jim Becker]

For the leaves, I'd suggest finishing both sides since they are essentially unsupported. That will help keep moisture release and gain even on both sides.

[Steve Schoene]

Absolutely, both sides.

[Ray Turney]

Thanks, I was thinking the same thing but wanted to get some more opinions before I told him Thanks again, Ray Turney

[Joe Chritz]

You can't hurt it by doing both sides but you can hurt it by not doing both sides.

Should make for an easy answer, especially on a relatively easy to do both sides kinda project like leaves.

Joe