Hi all,
So, this is my first post (ever, anywhere). I have become obsessed with hand tool wood work and have been at it now for about 3 years. I, like many others, cruise the web and read articles or watch videos, however, it seems to me that becoming involved in an internet 'community' of like minded folks may add a dimension to the inter-web. I.e. subject specific response targeting the topic of interest to the level which one is wiling to dive into... For me, hand-tool woodworking is a journey onto it's own and is far from my experiences as a framing carpenter and an Engineer, yet transferable as well... Anyhow, my query:
I built a 10' Roubo-ish bench last summer; mortised the legs into the top complete with top stretchers which which were mortised into the legs. Material was lumber yard 2x6 (in Canada, SPF #2 or better, hand picked); moisture tested at time of construction (~ 15%). Top Geometry: 24"W x ~5-1/8"th x ~10'L. Inside clear space along each leg frame (between mortise cheeks): ~16". Finish: nil. Location: single family home garage with electric space heater during winters to maintain temp above freezing.
I knew shrinkage cracking would occur, and to my satisfaction, until about 4 weeks ago; I would see a few cracks open and close but never more than maybe 1/64". About 4weeks ago we got hit with an arctic front and here in Western Canada the ambient air temp in my garage environment circulating between about 1 deg C and 15 deg C and the air is dry, freeze dry. Today is 40below (C or F) so there is just no moisture.
My bench is presenting a 3/32" max crack. Not surprising.
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The one next to my tail-vise is the most severe.
As would be expected, where the legs mortise into the top, the cross-grain direction is restrained and the radial/tangential movement of the material is experiencing its minimum volume condition due to weather conditions.
I was waiting for this, now I want to pack the cracks and and post-stress the top. My plan is to re-flatten and finally seal the bench this early spring. I was going to apply sanding sealer (3 coats at end grain locations) and a couple of coats of spar urethane to all surfaces except the top. For the top only, I was going to flood with a few coats of BLO.
SO what I want to know is, does anyone have experience, with doing similar to what I have explained?
As well, thinking about packing epoxy putty (like Quickwood) from below, filling with flowable epoxy, then packing the epoxy putt from above?
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Thanks,
Jim C.
[Once I can afford the Maple wood, benchcrafted vises, and hand-tool work time; I dream of a bench similar to what I have seen built by others]