Hardwood worktop to store for 2 months

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Hello Everyone

2 hardwood worktops arrived yesterday wrapped in a thick clingfilm type thing but a few small holes (inch or so) in places. Its not been oiled and has been left in the room where it will be installed on batons off the floor.

My question is should I remove all the film and oil them properly then put them back on the batons or should I leave it as is untreated but wrapped in its thick plastic film?
 
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mike42, good evening.

What does the supplier recommend? if you go "precisely" by those instructions the "Warranty" given by the maker will be complied with?

Ken.
 
Tricky, Im not sure whats best.

Hardwood worktops are prone to cup if left for any length of time.

I think I would leave it unoiled as pre finishing before cutting to size will be a nuisance.

Make sure you seal up the holes with tape, then maybe flip the tops every couple of weeks.

Cover top face with opaque material like cardboard or you might find you get daylight will darken the tops and that will be a problem if one if overlapping the other or you stack some stuff on top
 
Firstly many thanks indeed for the helpful replies.

The person from worktops express on ebay said this:
"Regarding the storage of the worktops we would recommending oiling these if they are being left prior to installation especially during the winter as if these arent sealed properly the temperature changes can cause warping of raw timber"

But their website guide https://www.worktop-express.co.uk/media/wood_worktop_installation_aftercare_guide.pdf
is a bit confusing because it says in big letters "DO NOT UNPACK WORKTOPS UNLESS:" [you are ready to install..]

I already had a tracksaw and I've just bought a good 1/2 inch router so I'm all tools and no brain at the moment. Is there a hint from Notch that cutting and routing with a pre-oiled top might be more difficult?

I must admit given the "official" pdf I linked to I'm moving towards leaving it in the shrink wrap, on batons in a room with suspended floor and flipping them every 2 weeks. Maybe I could go over them with a role of cling film wrapping round and round just to ensure air tightness?
 
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. Is there a hint from Notch that cutting and routing with a pre-oiled top might be more difficult

Not very but the oil might make the router drag.

Also you will scratch the top slightly when moving and machining. And you will probably need to sand the joint and front edge, maybe put a chamfer at the front -all of which means you will need to remove the oil and recoat for the best finish.

If you find the tops cup, they can be flattened: put the bowed top, convex side downwards on trestles then use an oil filled radiator or fan heater, on low put underneath.

Give it 2 or 3 days and the cupping will flatten out.
 
Thanks again Notch.

I've just read this paragraph in the same guide. I'm totally confused now ! How can they say leave it packed but also say it must be oiled immediately?

We recommend that all worktops are oiled immediately upon receipt. Installation should be carried out as soon as possible after delivery. However if storage is necessary, after oiling the worktops must be laid flat and fully supported in their original packaging
 
Thanks again Notch.

I've just read this paragraph in the same guide. I'm totally confused now ! How can they say leave it packed but also say it must be oiled immediately?

We recommend that all worktops are oiled immediately upon receipt. Installation should be carried out as soon as possible after delivery. However if storage is necessary, after oiling the worktops must be laid flat and fully supported in their original packaging

Yes Ive bought from worktop express and had the same quandry.

My feeling is that worktops can cup just from natural tension in the wood. That can release over time. Oiled wood wont be imoervious to absorbing moisture, but it will be delayed. Fully sealed in a bag, there should be no vapour getting through, but you cant stop the wood releasing moisture -ie if put a fully wrap piece of worktop and stood in front of a radiator, It will still cup.

I personally would leave them wrapped up, tape over any tears and turn them every couple of weeks. Do make sure they are either fully covered with card or similar, or leave the top fully clear. If you stand stuff on top you will get tan lines.

A tiny bit of cupping cant be helped -1mm or 2mm, but any more and it gets difficult to do joints. Using my tip will work if you get a problem - I once flattened a 10mm bow out of a 900mm deep breakfast bar 40mm thick oak top.

I used to own a joinery shop, so have learnt the hard way on timber movement.
 
Well as per the pics I think thats done (covered in laminate underlay).

If it all goes pair shaped (literally in this case!) I shan't be blaming anyone except myself. I know the advice has been given in good faith.

If in a couple of months you've got a few minutes I might tap you for some info on doing the butt joint and cuttouts but no worries if you're too busy then. Thanks again !


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Should be left wrapped to reduce moisture and when opened oiled immediately before installation.
 
I wonder if the kind and knowledgeable folk on this thread might have a view on this?

I received a solid laminate jig for about £55 that I was planning to use to cut the dogbone holes. It arrived cracked so I'm obviously in the process of sending it back. It gave me a slightly cheeky thought though. Since I wasn't using it for a mason's mitre and just needed the dogbones, perhaps I could transfer the holes to a bit of 18mm plywood I had knocking around.

I traced out the holes, then realised I'm not skilled enough with my jigsaw to cut the curves so I used my knew router - partly to practice with it. Now what I ended up with wasn't by a long chalk three idential holes but not _that_ far off. So my question is could I resaonable use this as a DIY template to guide my router on the worktop? I was thinking that by flipping the wood rather than rotating it, I'd get a mirror image of each recess and maybe it would work?

Just thought I'd put that out there and see if anyone tells me thats really stupid or the opposite that it should be ok?
 

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