kerfing underside of tabletop?

Question

Hello,I'm in the process of making a table top of curly maple (36x15).  It'san extra wide board (about 17in), which has about a half inch twist.Have any of you use a kerfing technique for making the board moreflexible.  I have access to a big jointer, but I'd like not to losethe thickness.Thanks.Curt BloodConnecticut, USA

rhybels · Accepted Answer

Curt:If some of the "twist" is just cup, have you tried wetting just theconcave side a bit then laying it down on that side awhile to reduceor eliminate the cup? It's always amazed me  how much you can get aboard to move this way. In fact, if you lay it on the lightly dampenedconcave side in direct sun a board may move so much and so fast thatit'll cup out the other way, so check it frequently or you'll have toflip it to get the cup out of the other side. Lay it concave side downon dewy grass in sun and you won't have to wet it at all.Kinda fun actually.Ralph

Limp Arbor · Answer

I've never personally tried but did see the almighty do it on one of his shows. He kerfed the board so he could make it flat then filled the kerf with some type of epoxy. Sorry, I don't remember what kind of epoxy it was or the show.

If you search through here you may find it

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try pinging LRod, he may know what type of epoxy.

I've fixed it by ripping the board then gluing it back together. Barely noticeable.

kerfing underside of tabletop?

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