Expert: Jamie Yocono - 8/20/2008

Question
just for my imfro when a top cracks--will small pcs go flying or will it just open up--like the jewel box i sent you a sketch on--if you still remember that one-- dick

Answer
Dick-

Not sure why, but your question made me smile. Don't worry, you won't need a hard hat when standing near the jewel box. It's likely (if you're standing nearby) that you'll hear a small crack or pop, and then notice a split in the wood. I think over the course of time, it will open up more, and then close up a bit, depending on the season.

But no, it's not dangerous.

To illustrate how it will open and close - here's a similar story. Years ago, I built a booth in my kitchen, styled after those semi-circular booths that you often see in Chinese restaurants. It was wonderful, and my friends really enjoyed coming over for dinner and sitting there.

Since I make ceramic tile in my studio, I inlaid an area of tile in the center, so you could put hot pots on it. Over time, the top developed a crack in it, probably due to the tiled area. But the crack wasn't bad,  in some seasons, it was invisible. And other seasons, it was as wide as a toothpick. I really toyed with the idea of filling the crack when it was at it's widest, but felt like the filling would pop out when the wood expanded again. So I left it alone.

Honestly, it just gave that table some character, and over the years, my dinner guests would comment how the last time they were at my home, the crack was different. It really became a conversation piece over time.

Anyway, If you're lucky, your box will be fine and won't ever crack. Think positive!

Jamie Yocono
www.wooditis.com