Cracks in Trestle Table

[lucky_rick]

Hi

I have a trestle table made of silky oak. It is on a covered verandah but it looks like the sun has got to the trestles as both of them have some small cracks (1-2 cms wide by about 10 cm long). I figure I need to sand the whole table back, fill the cracks, and then coat it in something.

Can you give any advice on what I should fill it with and what I should use to coat it. Previously I have used tung oil. I am not looking for a work of art but do want to keep it in good condition.

Any help appreciated.
lucky_rick

[ozwinner]

You could try and make some timber wedges to fill the cracks, either from the same timber or from a contrasting timber.


Al

[journeyman Mick]

Lucky Rick,
tread carefully before you fill the cracks! If the cracks have only recently opened up (rather than gradually over a long period of time) filling them may cause more problems. If you are experiencing lower than normal humidity levels and this is the cause of the shrinkage and cracking then filling the cracks will cause further, more drastic cracking if the timber takes up moisture again during prolonged humid conditions.

Mick

[Neil]

Give organoil a try they have an exterior oil that is supposed to expand the wood and make cracks virtually disappear. Check it out on their web site. http://www.organoil.com.au/

Cheers - Neil

[lucky_rick]

Thanks everyone

All good advice. I think that I will give it a light sand back and give it a coat of the last suggested product.

Regards
Rick