Cocktail table warping

**CoreyC07** · 12th April 2009, 08:53 AM

Hey everyone, first of all I'm a noob at all kinds of workworking for the most part, so help point me in the right direction if anything here sounds unclear.

I bought a lift-top cocktail table last year and I noticed after several months the the sheet of wood at the top was warping and lifting off the edges all around. I had no problem getting it exchanged for a new one since it was covered in the manufacturer's warranty (had to wait a few weeks though). I was hoping it was just a lemon since the floor model in the store looked fine. Sure enough though, only a month or so after having the new one I can see the edges starting to warp up a bit. I don't want to go through the hassle of getting it exchanged again, and I looked all over for just the right table and this one is just right for me.

Is there a way I can stop the warping from getting worse? I'm mostly concerned about the edges warping up from the table, so would reenforcing the edges with more nails be a good idea or would that just be asking for trouble? It sits in a basement which is usually pretty cool and not so humid. If I can't help the warping then I think I might replace the top myself (with some help of course)...any recommendations on what kind of wood to use that won't warp and will still match the rest of the table? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Here's a couple pictures of the first table that I exchanged:

**Fencepost2** · 12th April 2009, 02:21 PM

Sorry Corey, I don't have a clear enough idea of the construction to offer an opinion of why it is happening and how it might be fixed, but I wanted you to know that your problem has been noted and you are not simply being ignored.

**martrix** · 12th April 2009, 03:36 PM

need to see some clear pics of underneath the top and how it is made. Looks poorly made to me however. Have you got it sitting near a window or near a heater outlet?

**CoreyC07** · 12th April 2009, 06:13 PM

In the first 2 pics in the background is a gas fireplace, I don't use it that often maybe a couple times a week for a couple hours at a time, if that. The top is nailed around all the edges, and where the drawers are there's nothing underneath, just empty space for the drawers...can't really get any good pics in there though.

**Bob38S** · 12th April 2009, 07:44 PM

No expert here but from what I can see the top appears to be a piece of ply/veneer which is quite thin. I can see the nails you mention but I'm willing to bet that there was no glue used, no under top supports and probably the underside of the top is raw ie not finished or sealed.

I'm not that keen to comment on the quality of the construction from what I can see - it probably also cost you a few quid which possibly you could grow to regret.

If it is ply or similar I would be looking at replacing the top with something more substantial - also without the nails visible - this is an indicator of its quality.

OR [only go this way if you are not going to seek a replacement as you did before]

As a stop gap measure get yourself a syringe which has a reasonable bore but not so big that it can't be inserted where the gaps are appearing. I use Titebond III which works well for me but by all means check with others what may be better. Squirt some glue into the gaps and then clamp the top and bottom using a caul on the top to avoid marking the top and to spread the clamping force. Also seal the entire under surface you can get to to avoid humidity differential between the top and bottom.

Perhaps not a satisfactory reply but just my 2 cents worth.

Hope you can get it sorted.

Regards,
Bob

**CoreyC07** · 13th April 2009, 05:04 AM

You're right, its not finished underneath the ply, and there was no glue used either it seems. There is only a small gap on one corner now, hardly noticeable and it would be pretty hard to get any glue in there. But if it gets much worse I'll look into your method of glueing and clamping. I'm not sure about sealing the underside, it would be pretty hard I think to get underneath it without making a mess...if worse comes to worse, I think replacing the whole top with something more substantial and sealing and glueing it from the get-go would make the most sense in the long run. But we'll see how bad this one gets...thanks for the replys!

**jaywit** · 16th April 2009, 03:40 AM

No glue!!! one drop is worth 20 nails.
jaywit

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