Don Hein
11-08-2008, 10:34 PM
I'd like to get some advice on re-sizing an Ikea oak countertop, especially the glue-up plan.
The Ikea countertop is 1 1/2" thick x 25" wide, and is made of glued-up oak strips approximately 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" wide. I'm using a four-foot section of this to make a tabletop for an in-kitchen breakfast nook styled like a restaurant booth.
Unfortunately, the narrow 25" width of the new countertop is not wide enough. I have to bump that up to make a 30-31" wide x 48" tabletop.
I have some identical Ikea oak countertop left over from a previous project. I plan to rip the new countertop down the middle, then use some of the scrap to insert the additional width necessary to result in a completed tabletop of the desired width.
So, I'd like some input on the glue-up. For example, would there be general agreement that use of biscuit joinery would add strength and precision? Would Titebond II be a satisfactory glue?
A couple other factors to consider:
First. The entire tabletop will have liberal initial applications of an Ikea-recommended mineral oil, followed by maintenance applications, all of which protect against moisture/stains in use. Does anyone think Titebond II would have a problem with this, over time?
Second. The completed re-sized tabletop will be attached to a slightly smaller piece of quality plywood, for purposes of strength and to help serve as an attachment base for the wall attachment (at the wall, large angle-iron, screws + wall lag screws) and at the outer-end single leg. I'm thinking that 1/4" ply might be thick enough to provide adequate stability/attachment without overly increasing the thickness of the tabletop. I don't want to overbuild the thickness. Also, might it be better to just screw the ply to the tabletop underside rather than glue it?
Any comments/suggestions are welcome. And thank you!
Don
The Ikea countertop is 1 1/2" thick x 25" wide, and is made of glued-up oak strips approximately 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" wide. I'm using a four-foot section of this to make a tabletop for an in-kitchen breakfast nook styled like a restaurant booth.
Unfortunately, the narrow 25" width of the new countertop is not wide enough. I have to bump that up to make a 30-31" wide x 48" tabletop.
I have some identical Ikea oak countertop left over from a previous project. I plan to rip the new countertop down the middle, then use some of the scrap to insert the additional width necessary to result in a completed tabletop of the desired width.
So, I'd like some input on the glue-up. For example, would there be general agreement that use of biscuit joinery would add strength and precision? Would Titebond II be a satisfactory glue?
A couple other factors to consider:
First. The entire tabletop will have liberal initial applications of an Ikea-recommended mineral oil, followed by maintenance applications, all of which protect against moisture/stains in use. Does anyone think Titebond II would have a problem with this, over time?
Second. The completed re-sized tabletop will be attached to a slightly smaller piece of quality plywood, for purposes of strength and to help serve as an attachment base for the wall attachment (at the wall, large angle-iron, screws + wall lag screws) and at the outer-end single leg. I'm thinking that 1/4" ply might be thick enough to provide adequate stability/attachment without overly increasing the thickness of the tabletop. I don't want to overbuild the thickness. Also, might it be better to just screw the ply to the tabletop underside rather than glue it?
Any comments/suggestions are welcome. And thank you!
Don