Desert woodworking – FineWoodworking

Originally titled “Desert Cabinetry” in Fine Woodworking #3—Summer 1976

The climate of the desert US Southwest can have a devastating effect on furni­ture. People moving there from the East often watch their antiques, which have survived hundreds of years in a relatively humid climate, break up before their eyes. Cabinetmakers suffer similar discouragement. It is rare to find even experienced cabinetmakers who have not had pieces ruined by cracks or broken joints.

As atmospheric conditions change, wood expands or contracts until an equilibrium moisture content is reached. Furniture from the East Coast has an equilibrium moisture content of twelve to fifteen percent. When this furniture is brought to the Southwest, its equilibrium moisture content may decrease to six percent with significant shrinkage resulting. Normal Midwestern hardwoods are kiln-dried to approximately twelve…