invisible glue lines

Timbuck · Jan 10, 2020

I have just recieved some reclaimed mahogany in the form of two very old drop leaf table tops..I have scrutinised them looking for the joints where the sections have been glued together so that I can nest the uke sections but! I cant see any obvious signs of jointing... they are 18 inches wide ...I have scraped them and applied solvents but nothing shows up..Could it be that they are all one piece? or is there a foolproof way of detecting glue lines without setting the wood on fire ?

WebParrot (s2) · Jan 10, 2020

Hmmmm. I’d try looking at the end grain with the same diligence. Trim or plane perpendicular to the top grain pattern, then moisten with spirits. I would look for any changes in pattern, or density of the pores... sounds intriguing.

Timbuck · Jan 10, 2020

I trimmed off a thin section around the rim,and the end grain became very obvious and showed that there were no joints ..both table tops were all made from one broad plank.

Sawdust · Jan 10, 2020

Timbuck said:
I trimmed off a thin section around the rim,and the end grain became very obvious and showed that there were no joints ..both table tops were all made from one broad plank.
View attachment 124246

Very common back in the day, if that table were made in today's time it would be made of hard to tell how many pieces of wood.

RPA_Ukuleles · Jan 10, 2020

ooh, that's a lucky find. They don't make 'em like that no mo.

Timbuck · Jan 10, 2020

All sawn up into chunks now enough for 8 sopranos plus a few extra side ribs in case of breakages during bending.

WebParrot (s2) · Jan 11, 2020

Timbuck said:
I trimmed off a thin section around the rim,and the end grain became very obvious and showed that there were no joints ..both table tops were all made from one broad plank.
View attachment 124246

Sweet. Didn't even think that it was round! Do you follow any moisture content parameters? I'm curious because as a woodworker who's occasionally scored some old walnut furniture that was difficult to rework because it was too dry (below 2%)... I.e., thinner cuts (for a laminate top) split/cracked easily. Just curious if something similar was a concern for uke sound boards.

invisible glue lines

Timbuck

Well-known member

WebParrot (s2)

Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Timbuck

Well-known member

Sawdust

Well-known member

RPA_Ukuleles

Well-known member

Timbuck

Well-known member

WebParrot (s2)

Wisconsin, U.S.A.

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