Q: We make dining tables (two pieces with a leaf) that we send to Arizona. We are having trouble with a gap developing in Arizona at the edges of where the leaf joins the two permanent top pieces; the center of the leaf fits tightly. These tables are tight all along the joint when they leave Minnesota. Our plant is 40 to 45 percent RH, which seems to keep the tops in good shape here. The MC of the tops here in Minnesota is 5.2 percent MC, checked with a pin-type moisture meter. We store our tops before we finish them in an unheated warehouse. Could the cold have any effect?

Q: We are getting a lot of chipped grain with our newly purchased (used) planer. Our knife angles seem okay. We are feeding at 45 fpm which is quite slow. Can you help?

Excellent red accent wood. Padauk is an excellent turning wood and is widely used for fancy turnery such as knife and tool handles. The bark yields a wonderful, bright red dye that was used for body coloring for religious festivals.

Excellent red accent wood. Padauk is an excellent turning wood and is widely used for fancy turnery such as knife and tool handles. The bark yields a wonderful, bright red dye that was used for body coloring for religious festivals.

Optimizing production with new and existing technology: In order to be profitable and productive in today’s economy, woodworking facilities need to optimize their resources: equipment, supplies and their workforce. Many companies have done so through investments in new technology and production methods, including lean and sustainable manufacturing methods.

Optimizing production with new and existing technology: In order to be profitable and productive in today’s economy, woodworking facilities need to optimize their resources: equipment, supplies and their workforce. Many companies have done so through investments in new technology and production methods, including lean and sustainable manufacturing methods.