[GeorgiaCarver]

I received a question from a customer... I thought some of you woodworkers may know the answer:

I need your advice. I use a dining table in my home that was one hand-hewn by my great grandparent's family. I had it refinished about 15 years ago and we have thoroughly enjoyed using it. My dad sat at it as a child.

The planks that make up the top are about 10 inches wide. A corner plank has a crack in it that is troubling me. It looks like maybe someone but their weight on it rising from the table. If it had much pressure on it, I would lose the corner.

I don't know if this is enough info to enlighten you to the extent that you might help me, but I hope so. I want to fill that crack with a clear or dark substance to give me a few more years life. If I can't do it, I want someone to tell me so, and I will move it to a place of less use in order to preserve it.

Any thoughts?

Thanks for your help......

[Tom H]

Greg, I have had success with similar table tops, when I make the "fix" on the under side. There is a proper name for the type of "fix" but I can't remember it. The patch is kinda like a butterfly bandaid or a double ended dovetail, with one end on one side of the crack and the other on the other side. The patch is inlaid with a router (or could be carved). The patch will hold the wood together and hopefully prevent further cracking. Whether or not you fill the crack at the top is optional. In a very old rough hewn table top I would consider it a part of the aging and leave it unfilled.

Tom H

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Tom is right and it is called a butterfly...thats what I would do to, on the bottom and then leave the crack.....shows character!

[arapsang]

The butterfly solution is fine as long as you can clean out the crack, squeeze the open joint together and hold it closed until you have made the butterfly housing and glued in the bridging piece. Make sure the grain of the butterfly runs across the crack. Dont worry about the butterfly showing. A well made and fitted joint looks good and is an honest answer to fair wear and tear.

Another way would be to split the corner off completely, clean any feathers off the edges and biscuit join the edges together.

You dont say how thick the planks are or if there is a structural problem which leaves the plank edges unsupported. A picture might help.

Good Luck
Peter Connor

[Jim Arnold]

How thick are the planks? If its just a crack the 'butterfly' will suffice fine, but you mentioned that with just a little added pressure the corner will fall off. I tend to agree with arapsang, and if its really bad you may need something else like drilling and pinning it with an appropriate sized dowel. Just depends on how much room you have to work with. Without a picture its too hard to tell, but why put this heirloom somewhere else out of view and out of use? Give it a sturdy, longlasting, an appropriate fix. Can you supply a pic? If its just a crack I agree with eveybody else, that's character!

[GeorgiaCarver]

Thanks for the input. I don't have a picture yet. I will ask for one hopefully I can have it in a day or two.

Again, thank you for the inputs so far....

Greg

[Doug Ridley]

Do not use biscuits. They provide little or no structural help. If the crack can be pulled together with clamps glue and clamp it and then use the butterfly patch.If you want some advice from the real experts click on www.woodcentral.com and go to the message board and ask your question. There are guys on there who really know their business and will be glad to help. A good pic would help there also.
Doug

[Jim Arnold]

Hey Greg!

I just visited your website...Great work! I like the story about the sharecropper and the oak tree. Can you recommend any good shows in your area. I'm down a little farther South between Gainesville and Jacksonville.

Thanks!
Jim