sorry if this seems patronising but how refreshing to read of someone understanding the need for allowing for this. Most people dont have a clue
I just remember my dad labouring over a beautiful piranha pine kitchen table, he didnt think about this and it split completely apart twice down it's length
Quarter sawn would be the best for all these table top and panel jobs but fincial constraints weigh heavily on most job's so reversing the grain and cutting the heart out seems to be the way forward
