I have a 4ft x 8ft x 2.5 inch thick mahogany dining table made from glued-together planks each about 6 inches wide. At each end of the table, a crack has appeared, 6 inches long on one end, and about 2 feet long on the other side. The cracks are about 2mm wide each. The table was made in Africa 4 years ago and has survived four Canadian winters. I suspect it is the dry air in winter that has warped the wood. Should I assume summer humidity will make it go back to how it was, or should I try to glue and clamp it? Thanks in advance for any advice.

LS, April 2011

Thanks for your advice.

LS, April 2011

The wood has split because natural shrinkage has placed too much strain on it - Table tops will shrink and expand across the short dimension as the moisture content changes - winter / summer variations. If the table top is tied down too tightly to the frame/base then splits will appear in the long dimension.

Whatever you do look to the underside of the table and ensure the fixings allow for this natural movement.

http://www.barncrest.co.uk/slotted_expansion_brackets.php

Peccavi, April 2011