Table tops - mixing wood types

[drenwick]

Hi there,
I am somewhat novice with woodwork and I am building a table (largish). I plan to build a frame and then build out the table top using 4 panel sections of oak or walnut or Iroko. Basically these are what you'd normally use for a kitchen worktop - 40mm thick (stave - is that the right term?). The design has them resting on a frame with a 30mm gap between them. The gap forms a cross. To contrast the wood I plan to fill in the gap with strips made from MDF and spray painted white to a high glass.
My question is really about how the table will handle the expansion of the wood and what this will do to the white strip that forms the cross? I don't want any gaps between the panels and the 'cross' and if the woods all expand, then inevitably this will happen over time.
I am guessing that the hardwood will expand/contract with the temperature. The table will go in a conservatory so will be subject to slightly larger than normal fluctuations in temperature throughout the year.

Should i be concerned? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to tackle this?

How would you normally build out a table using different wood types?

Any comments would be welcomed.

regards,

dave

 

[Nick Gibbs]

I'm not sure I understand the design fully, but if you're talking about making the top from different species, there's nothing particularly wrong, except that the boards are likely to expand and contract at different rates, so the surface is unlikely to stay perfectly flat. I'd love to see what you're planning as it sounds interesting. Do send a sketch.

Nick

 

[carlb40]

Nick the way i read it. The OP will use one of 3 of those timbers listed. But between the underside of the table top and the legs, there will be a 30mm gap which he wishes to infill with painted mdf.

 

[Nick Gibbs]

Ok. I think I see. Would love to see sketch. If it's in a conservatory it's bound to move.