I have an antique 54" oak dining room table which can be opened for a leaf. The top is made of 9" x 3/4" oak panels. The table top also has a wood band that goes around the circumference which is 3" x 1/2". The band is attached to the top with screws every 6" or so. At one end of the table a top panel has fractured clean through and all the way across. Only the band around the table is holding this piece in place. I am thinking of removing the band and gluing the piece in place. I would then reinstall the band. Wil this sufficiently repair a dining table which will be used daily?

Mrfizzy, July 2010

Wood naturally expands and contracts across the grain depending on the moisture content - table tops are often fitted with expansion plates to allow for slight movement - sometimes, if the screws are done up too tightly or no allowance has been made for shrinking / expansion then a split will appear in the direction of the grain.

When you "see" to your table top be sure to allow for this natural movement or you might get the same problem again.

Good luck...

Peccavi, July 2010