Open glue lines in tops
Boards in a glued-up solid wood top pulling apart, leaving a visible gap along the joint on the face, edge or underside.
Why it happens
Boards glued at different moisture contents move differently as they dry, and the weaker glue line opens.
Too little glue, poorly machined edges or too little clamping time leave a joint that was never fully bonded.
A top fixed rigidly to its frame cannot move across the grain, so the stress goes into the glue lines.
More examples
Photos from Qualis inspections. The chalk marks are the inspector’s.
How to specify against it
A defect you can name in the purchase order is a defect an inspector can fail the shipment on. One you only describe in an email is not.
- A moisture limit for the destination, checked on the boards before glue-up as well as at pre-shipment.
- Matched boards and a tight, continuous glue line on face, edges and underside.
- Fixings that let the top move across the grain.
The inspection point
Each of these is a numbered check on a published scope, so you can see exactly which visit finds this and when.
Other defects in the library
Sanding marks and surface damage
DEF-027 · Finish · Surface
Swirl and grinding marks, torn grain, blotchy stain and small dents that show through the finish on a solid wood top.
Unseasoned timber cracking
DEF-011 · Wood · Moisture
Sheesham shipped above 12% moisture splits when it meets central heating in the US or EU. The single largest claim category.
Finish bloom in transit
DEF-024 · Finish · Humidity
Lacquer cured during monsoon humidity clouds and blushes inside a hot container.
Catch this one before it ships.
Confirmed within 24 hours. Report within 24 hours of inspection.
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