Wood expansion - hope get bigger or smaller

**DerekC** · 3rd August 2023, 10:34 PM

Im making something right now that has some holes in it that will have a sliding rod through the hole. The hole is cut through quarter sawn timber - so in the x axis it is long grain (no movement expected) but in the y axis it cuts through the quarter sawn fibres.

I have picked a fairly stable wood but When the wood expands come summer humidity should I expect the hole to get bigger or smaller (with the risk of binding on the circular rod).

Thanks.

**orraloon** · 3rd August 2023, 11:55 PM

There is no one answer to that. In general wood expands or shrinks more across the grain than along the grain. Its a fair bet that the holes will become slightly oval over time so dont aim for too fine a fit if its not practical to either ream out the holes or sand down the rod at some future date. A lot depends on the environment its going to be in.
Regards
John

**NeilS** · 4th August 2023, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by orraloon

Its a fair bet that the holes will become slightly oval over time so don't aim for too fine a fit if its not practical to either ream out the holes or sand down the rod at some future date. A lot depends on the environment its going to be in.

Derek

I also expect the holes could go a bit oval through the quarter sawn sections. The following is what can happen in some woods when a bowl is turned green and allowed to warp while seasoning. Seasonal variations in air moisture can cause a similar, but far less pronounced, movement in seasoned wood...

103b6.jpg

**DerekC** · 4th August 2023, 08:26 PM

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

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