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Re: wood dash panels

To: mgs@autox.team.net, "CHARLES JOINER" <CJOINER@toltec.astate.edu>
Subject: Re: wood dash panels
From: "SCHLINING.M.W-" <SCHLINING.M.W-_at_BALT.PO.017@smtpgty.bwi.wec.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 96 10:03:14 EST
     Wood likes to move with the change in it moisture content.  There are 
     a couple of things that could cause the wooden dash to split.  First 
     was the wood dried to the proper moisture content, I believe about 7 
     to 10 %.  You do not want to use green wood.  Most likely you wood had 
     the proper moisture content.  
     
     Next, was the dash panel finished on both sides?  This is important to 
     keep the two sides in balance.  If one side was not finished, it would 
     more readily absorb moisture causing that side to expand, causing the 
     finished side to become concave (warped). An old time method of 
     correcting a warped panel (or table top) is to take the panel outside 
     in the early morning, put the concave side down on the moist grass and 
     let it sit in the sun. The sun removes the excess moisture on one side 
     that has expanded and the wet grass adds moisture to the other side.  
     At some point the wood is back in balance and is flat.  
     
     Finish all sides of the dash.
     
     Lastly and the most likely, you mounted the wooden dash panel like the 
     metal one was attached.  You caused a restraint at the ends as well as 
     the middle.  The dash panel was probably a beautiful piece of wood 
     with an exotic grain pattern.  This would expand and contract is all 
     kinds of directions and since it was restrained the stress caused the 
     panel to split to relieve the stress.  In addition, the cars natural 
     flexing could also contribute to the stressing.  Recommend that the 
     attachment points at the ends of the dash be made to free float.  You 
     can do this by elongating the bracket mounting holes at the ends to 
     allow horizontal movement.  If you are also mounting it on the bottom 
     of the panel at the console, elongate these holes in the vertical 
     direction.  When you attach the panel only snug the screws at the 
     elongated holes.  This will allow the wood to move without splitting.
     
     I like woodworking.
     
     
     Marty Schlining
     57 MGA Coupe
     75 MGB


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: wood dash panels
Author:  "CHARLES JOINER" <CJOINER@toltec.astate.edu> at BALT.SMTP
Date:    2/21/96 5:10 PM


An gentleman came by my shop last night to show me he had gotten his 
75 B running.  He had wooden dash panels that were badly cracked and 
split.  He said that that had happened after two hours of sitting out 
in the sun.  Wood by itself does not do well in the sun.  Lots of 
protective coating is necessary.  Maybe some knowledgable wood worker 
can help us all out here.


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