I've been thinking about making a kind of greene and greene inspired side table for my front entry... of course arts and crafts styles in general have a lot of the breadboard ends. Do you have more information on techniques to avoid cracks?
Also quartersawn white oak is most used, a wood that does not have as much expansion going on.
This is how I did it for my A&C style coffee table: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ejschmitt/9053576208/in/set-721...
Final shot of the coffee table: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ejschmitt/9115541399/in/set-721...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_movement http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Stickley
My favorite style, bar none!
You'll find these two books quite useful.
http://www.amazon.com/Darrell-Peart/e/B001JS36Q2/ref=ntt_ath...
> Do you have more information on techniques to avoid cracks?
1) alternate the growth rings of the flat table pieces: one cupping up, next down, next up, etc.
2) keep breadboard ends in line with the plane of the tabletop by using splines
3) pin or glue the breadboard ends only in the center.
4) start reading Fine Woodworking magazine.
I would absolutely love to do that. The book is a great read -- the basic premise is that you can build furniture from green wood in such a way that the drying of the wood will lock your joints and strengthen the stool: http://www.lostartpress.com/Make_a_Joint_Stool_from_a_Tree_p...