Thread: What comes first....

When you say under a pergola roof, is that a weatherproof roof ie will the table be exposed to rain etc?

I decide not to glue then put a gap between the boards so the crap cap fall through. Since T&G boards look ordinary when set apart because the tongue and groove will show, they should be removed (ie more work!)

If you do glue, do you have the clamps wide enough to glue them all together under enough pressure to close up the cracks? If you don't then gaps will be inevitable and besides looking ordinary, junk and the weather will get into them and they will look even worse and split apart much sooner than the otherwise wood. If you still get gaps I would fill them with resin

Yes I would oil them before putting them on.

What colour jarrah do you have. I say this because Tung oil darkens wood considerably and it will turn lovely chocolate coloured jarrah almost black.

Hi BobL
Thanks for your comments and just to confirm:
Table will be under a fully waterproof pergola - no exposure to weather.
Re the T&G i have 2 trains of thought....Glue, clamp (yes I have clamps) and screw from underneath with as little gap as possible or just screw leaving a 2mm gap between between each board and then black caulk (marine grade) to fill the gaps. Just a bit unsure as to tung oil before or after caulking if I go this way - Caulking may not stick to oiled wood (?)

FYI - I picked tung oil as I want the wood to have that dark glossy look.

Originally Posted by Dusty B

Hi BobL
Thanks for your comments and just to confirm:
Table will be under a fully waterproof pergola - no exposure to weather.
Re the T&G i have 2 trains of thought....Glue, clamp (yes I have clamps) and screw from underneath with as little gap as possible or just screw leaving a 2mm gap between between each board and then black caulk (marine grade) to fill the gaps. Just a bit unsure as to tung oil before or after caulking if I go this way - Caulking may not stick to oiled wood (?)

Correct, Caulking first.

Caulking is a lot more work than gluing.

FYI - I picked tung oil as I want the wood to have that dark glossy look.

Dark yes, gloss will only last a few hours then in will slowly go dull and flat.

Cheers for the info BobL
I have a friend that will do the caulking
If Tung oil looses it's lustre can your recommend a product that has the same properties / look.
Thxs