[Woodcarver] glue question

[Ramsey]

Wayne,

The problem is that wood expands more perpendicular to the grain than 
it does parallel to the grain.  It doesn't work to glue boards 
perpendicular to each other.  Even if you were to re-glue, the 
problem would still be there.  If the glued on pieces are to add 
dimension to the carving, glue them on with the grain going in the 
same direction as the rest of the sign.  If they are for 
reinforcement, the sign need to move independently of the braces. 
Bolt the braces loosely to the sign with slightly enlarged holes in 
the sign to allow for movement.

Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com


Be sure to look at the incredible nature inspired art jewelry hand 
fabricated by my wife, Karen Olsen Ramsey.  It's worth the time to 
take a look!
http://www.artjeweler.com


The outdoor sign I'm working on has started to come unglued.  It is made
of 4 horizontal 2" x 6" (I think) cedar boards with 2 vertical cedar
boards glued on top of them on one side.  I'm assuming the movement of
the wood from moisture loss and gain has caused the vertical boards to
start separating from  the horizontal ones.  The top part of the
vertical ones is carved very thin, so I don't like the idea of trying to
remove it and reglue it.  Besides which, the original problem will still
be there.



The lower part of the vertical boards seems to be holding up OK.  Maybe
it got more glue, who knows?  None of it seems to be ready to come off
or anything, except at the top where it's totally separated.  There's
maybe a 1/16" gap.  A good bit of that I can carve off.  I'm thinking I
can go ahead and finish carving, then glue some slivers of waste wood
into the cracks to keep out rain.  Maybe I could glue them diagonally to
lessen the impact of expansion and contraction?  Anyway, any
suggestions?



Wynne Simmons

Ashford, Alabama

wyndysim at graceba.net

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