timber kitchen benchtop

[David L]

I am concidering making a benchtop from T&G floor boards as Bloss did.
I am concerened about shrinkage and the gaps opening up, can anyone advise on this?
My Idea is to clamp the boards to gether and screw to cross pieces from below not using glue and finish with Cabots water based floor finish.
Thanks for your help

David

[Bloss]

I have done them as you intend - both glued and unglued and I have been happy with them. (Details have been PMed to you)

After timber choice (and evenness of grain stresses etc within that choice) movement depends on your local climate as much as anything. High variability of temperature and humidity means greater instability for the timber - and vice versa.

I live in Canberra so a dry and fairly even climate with relatively low humidity - result will not be the same coastal climates for example. The level of humidity etc is less critical than the variability - rapidly changing moisture levels is hell for timber of all sorts.

Real timber is a variable and changing product - that's why I and many others like it. Tolerance for the results of this - gaps etc is a highly personal issue, and if one has an expectation of perfection then one goes for manufactured products.