Cross grain inlay (or veneer)...

[Eric Apple - Central IN]

Are there any problems associated with an inlay running across the grain of a 32" table top ? The inlay would be running across the grain of a solid wood plank built table top.

I would like the inlay to be as thick as possible without having problems related to expansion and contration across the grain.

. Is this even wise to try ?
. Any thoughts on how thick the inlay can be ?

[Bobby Hatfield]

Are there any problems associated with an inlay running across the grain of a 32" table top ? The inlay would be running across the grain of a solid wood plank built table top.

I would like the inlay to be as thick as possible without having problems related to expansion and contration across the grain.

. Is this even wise to try ?
. Any thoughts on how thick the inlay can be ?

Eric what about cross grain inlay, that should expand and contract almost the same.
Espansion and contraction will happen, if the table will be in a house with central heat and air, it will contract across the grain and move very little after contracting if the heat and air is maintained.

[Jamie Buxton]

Eric ---
You already know the trouble you're headed for. The substrate lumber wants to expand and contract across the grain, but the cross-grain veneer doesn't want to do that. Here's a couple suggestions:
1) Redesign your inlay so the veneer grain runs the same direction as the substrate veneer. Then you can make it as thick as you care; the whole thing breathes together.
2) If you must make the veneer cross-grain, make the veneer as thin as possible. When it is very thin, the substrate actually stretchs it. Commercial veneer, at .025" thick, would be good.
3) If you must make the veneer cross-grain, put a veneer of similar thickness and grain direction on the other side of the substrate. This makes a "balanced panel", which is much less likely to warp. The top veneer and the bottom veneer put similar stresses on the substrate.

[Eric Apple - Central IN]

Thanks for the advice Bobby & Jamie. I managed to get agreement to change the inlay from QS lacewood. I will be going with a cross grain inlay in something else to match the grain direction of the planks.