woodburner
07-21-2006, 01:52 AM
Hi All,
I have made a decorative solution to such a problem. Depending on the size of the table, I select some round bar and cut it large enough to create what I call a decorative staple. You first measure how long of a staple you want showing, and then add to that the length of the pointed bends ( make sure the bends are not longer than the thickness of the wood), then I cut the round bar, sharpen the ends on a grinder, then I place the bar in a cast iron vise and use a propane torch to heat the bar so I can easily bend the bar at where you want the bends to be. After cooling, I place the staple where I want it, mark the spots where the bends will enter the wood and drill holes a little smaller the the staple is. I then place some wood glue in the holes and then gently tap the staple in place using a rawhide mallet. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but this method is actually easier than routing or chiselling out a place for a butterfly. It really gives a table top a rustic look and that you or someone else has taken the time to keep the table from splitting in half. It gives a table an antique look also.
This is just a different decorative way of preventing a split from getting longer.
If you use this method, an odd number (3, 5, 7, ect.) of small staples look best, instead of one large staple.
Just thought I would pass along what i like to do in this situation.
Sawdust & Shavings,
Woodburner:D
I have made a decorative solution to such a problem. Depending on the size of the table, I select some round bar and cut it large enough to create what I call a decorative staple. You first measure how long of a staple you want showing, and then add to that the length of the pointed bends ( make sure the bends are not longer than the thickness of the wood), then I cut the round bar, sharpen the ends on a grinder, then I place the bar in a cast iron vise and use a propane torch to heat the bar so I can easily bend the bar at where you want the bends to be. After cooling, I place the staple where I want it, mark the spots where the bends will enter the wood and drill holes a little smaller the the staple is. I then place some wood glue in the holes and then gently tap the staple in place using a rawhide mallet. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but this method is actually easier than routing or chiselling out a place for a butterfly. It really gives a table top a rustic look and that you or someone else has taken the time to keep the table from splitting in half. It gives a table an antique look also.
This is just a different decorative way of preventing a split from getting longer.
If you use this method, an odd number (3, 5, 7, ect.) of small staples look best, instead of one large staple.
Just thought I would pass along what i like to do in this situation.
Sawdust & Shavings,
Woodburner:D