The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING

MOVEMENT AND SHRINKAGE

Sound jointing techniques upon which the stiff­ness, appearance and general usefulness of furniture depend must take into account the natural movement of wood, and its propensity to shrink, swell and warp under fluctuating

13 Measuring moisture content

atmospheric conditions. It is, therefore, vitally important that the woodworker should under­stand exactly what kind of structural material it is which ceaselessly moves in sympathy with its surroundings, and what precautions he can usefully adopt to minimize that movement. Surface protection with paint, polish or even metal coatings may conceivably delay the natural process but can never entirely arrest it; and it is not generally realized that while age itself may exercise a certain restraining influence, no matter how old the wood may be, the innate tendencies will continue to persist throughout its effective life.