I have been given a superb slab of jarrah about 3000 x1200 x70 that I want to make into a table. It has been stored for years on it size and has a bow in it. Could someone recommend a place where I could have it resized or planed so it would be flat again?
I think a big sizing machine could do it but I am not a carpenter! Help please!

I have one aswell ill get you a number / name of a business where my mum and brother got theres done. It took quite some time like 6 months. Good finish .

You can get out bows & cups with a lucas mill (or saw mill) depending on the level of knowledge of the operator & how keen they are to do it. Years ago I made a router jig that ran on 2 bearers & slid along rails - worked a treat! Basically tidied up with a foot plane (angle it across on 45 deg, then at right angles to that) and finished with a scraper rather than sand paper!

If you're handy and want to have a go at it (and have time), you'll be proud once you've done it & makes a great conversation. All you need is a router & flat cutter, 2/ 3000mm bearers (straightened), 2/ straight cross bearers about 1500mm made into a jig with slot in the middle that slide up & down the long bearers...you get the drift.

Here's a machine that you can buy that does the same job.

how big a bow is in the length of it ?

and how much cup is in it across it ?

two ways

find a caby shop with the radial arm router set up and if they are willing to do it(this is the best way and it stays in one piece)
if you cant do that
find a joinery shop get them to rip it down to the max width of thier thicknesser and thickness it/re-join it(two pack glues/biscuits) sand/finish/done, not ideal but i have done this with marri and still looks cool although you can see the joins

i will ask around(providing my memory doesnt fail me) and get back to ya

Sailhack said...

You can get out bows & cups with a lucas mill (or saw mill) depending on the level of knowledge of the operator & how keen they are to do it. Years ago I made a router jig that ran on 2 bearers & slid along rails - worked a treat! Basically tidied up with a foot plane (angle it across on 45 deg, then at right angles to that) and finished with a scraper rather than sand paper!

If you're handy and want to have a go at it (and have time), you'll be proud once you've done it & makes a great conversation. All you need is a router & flat cutter, 2/ 3000mm bearers (straightened), 2/ straight cross bearers about 1500mm made into a jig with slot in the middle that slide up & down the long bearers...you get the drift.

Here's a machine that you can buy that does the same job.

+1 Works well or use a drum sander (Kitchen bench top maker will have one)

Wanga F One said...

The cupping is from more moisture loss on the cupped side. Lay some wettish towels on the cupped side for as long as it takes. This could take several wettings but should do it. The bow can only be planned or a big wide belt sander most of which can handle up to 1200 wide, they may want to hit you up for the cost of a belt.

Spot on. It was flat when it was made. Look up vacum pressing for veeners. You can flatten out or bend timber using moisture and modern techniques.

Seal it properly and moisture will never alter it's shape again