Hi - have built a steel pedestal for a high freestanding solid oak breakfast bar - kind of like a chunky poseur table. I am going to bolt the base to the floor, but the query is regarding fixing the 5mm steel plate to the underside of the oak.
I understand that I need to allow for expansion - as the kiln dried oak is made of two 500mm wide sections biscuited and clamped together. The 400mm square steel plate will be fixed at a diagonal to the woodgrain (so covering more of the crossgrain) at each of the four corners by a single woodscrew - is it enough to have an oversized hole to allow for movement? How much bigger do you reckon it should be - and can I use a washer so I don't lose the screwhead through it - or will this washer just grip to the powder coating on the steel - defeating the point of allowing movement?
Phew! Sorry for the essay!
Any help appreciated! thank you!
I understand that I need to allow for expansion - as the kiln dried oak is made of two 500mm wide sections biscuited and clamped together. The 400mm square steel plate will be fixed at a diagonal to the woodgrain (so covering more of the crossgrain) at each of the four corners by a single woodscrew - is it enough to have an oversized hole to allow for movement? How much bigger do you reckon it should be - and can I use a washer so I don't lose the screwhead through it - or will this washer just grip to the powder coating on the steel - defeating the point of allowing movement?
Phew! Sorry for the essay!
Any help appreciated! thank you!