Thread: Help with table top

No.
Sheoak is one of the most unstable timbers around - cross-grain expansion & contraction even when dry is about 3 times as much as most Australian hardwoods, so I suspect when it's wet it will be even worse. Even coating it with epoxy, you're probably not going to completely stop it drying out, but you run the risk of poor adhesion and amine bloom.

Thank you very much for your input

Maybe it depends on what species of Sheoak it is and how it was cut , I know that the South Western Sheoak [Allocasaurina Fraseriana ] was used in days past for roof shingles and beer barrels, you would think that it would have to be reasonably stable " when seasoned ' to to be used as such. Agree that while drying you don`t know where or how it will split.All I could suggest is let it split where it will and make a feature from it , the slower the drying the better.

Originally Posted by Mick2401

Hi all, I'm working on a sheoak table top. The slab is still drying and I am working on finishing the slab while it's still green.

My my question is, if I seal the slab with an appoxy resin will this stop any further cracking?

Hi Mick

I saw your other post.
Is this your table top?


Sorry but I can't really suggest any easy treatment.

I believe that wood turners use Polyethelyn Glycol to stabilize green (freshly cut) wood prior to turning bowls and such. Turner will soak a blank in a 30% or 50% solution.
I believe the glycol replaces the water resulting in a relatively stable blank.

Hi Ian, yes this is the one. Thanks for that mate. That's a great help I'll do some more reading into it.