When gluing face grain boards for a laminated top, there are three options for orienting the end grain:
- Alternating grain direction. ()()()()()()()
- Same grain direction. ((((((((((
- It doesn't matter, do what looks best for the finished face of the laminate. ()(()))()(())(
I realize you need to optimize the longitudinal grain direction for planing, but that aside, which way do you orient the end grain when doing a face-glued lamination?
I found this this humorous thread that shows there are many opinions when only two boards are involved-
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...-for-gluing-up
I found this essay which says orient them like this- (((((((.
http://www.fullchisel.com/alburnam12.htm
I was always told to alternate if possible, but now I am not so sure. It seems, after some research, that I am not alone. I found many differing opinions on this, although most were involving only two boards and I am asking specifically about a laminated top with multiple boards face glued together. Wood is kiln dried ash.