Split has appeared in 7 month old handmade solid wood table

Ken2000

I bought a handmade solid wood table, from an independent furniture maker, and after 6 months I noticed a 30cm full depth spilt, which is quite disappointing. It's not been near any sources of heat.

I mentioned it to the furniture shop and was told that it wasn't anything to worry about and just to keep an eye on it in case it gets worse.

It looks pretty bad to me and has left a couple of large splinters on the surface. The table cost £550, so not hugely expensive, but it's quite disappointing nonetheless. 

Where do I stand with this? 

grumpy_codger

IMHO, the split is too big not "to worry about" and doesn't need to get worse to demand a refund or replacement. Understandably, the shop will do their best to fob you off.

>> Consumer rights

LightFlare

Ken2000 said:

I bought a handmade solid wood table, from an independent furniture maker, and after 6 months I noticed a 30cm full depth spilt, which is quite disappointing. It's not been near any sources of heat.

I mentioned it to the furniture shop and was told that it wasn't anything to worry about and just to keep an eye on it in case it gets worse.

It looks pretty bad to me and has left a couple of large splinters on the surface. The table cost £550, so not hugely expensive, but it's quite disappointing nonetheless. 

Where do I stand with this? 

In your first picture, that edge is right next to a radiator. 

If that’s it’s usual position, then I’m not surprised it’s split 

Ken2000

LightFlare said:

Ken2000 said:

I bought a handmade solid wood table, from an independent furniture maker, and after 6 months I noticed a 30cm full depth spilt, which is quite disappointing. It's not been near any sources of heat.

I mentioned it to the furniture shop and was told that it wasn't anything to worry about and just to keep an eye on it in case it gets worse.

It looks pretty bad to me and has left a couple of large splinters on the surface. The table cost £550, so not hugely expensive, but it's quite disappointing nonetheless. 

Where do I stand with this? 

In your first picture, that edge is right next to a radiator. 

If that’s it’s usual position, then I’m not surprised it’s split 

The radiator hasn't been on since we bought the table. 

WIAWSNB

How wide is that individual pine plank?
Provided the timber had been stored in relatively stable conditions before sale, and the same applied when in your home - no extremes of temp or humidity - then you should expect these planks to remain 'unshaken'.
So I'd suggest that either it hadn't been kept in suitably stable conditions before sale - say in a much higher humidity environment like an unheated shed - or else perhaps it wasn't able to acclimatise properly in your home.
I'd suggest the latter is less likely, as if bought 6 months ago, it would have been in summer, and had plenty opportunity to do so.
Did it come with 'care' instructions? Read these carefully, especially if they have 'some wood movement or splits are natural behaviour, and not a fault'.
Yes it's disappointing, but I'd suggest quite fixable too. 
First step, tho' - read their T&C's, and then contact your LegProt, or CAB.
Prob worth calling a few local carpenters, too - send them a pic, and ask if then can sort it. If so, their bill might be your approach for a resolution.

We bought solid hardwood furniture a good few years back, and the large doors on the wardrobe swelled to making closing tricky. No way I'd claim, as son would leave windows shut at night, and wake to streaming windows...

twopenny

That's not acceptable.
I used to work in an independent furniture factory and it's either fixable or replace.
It's definitely not fit for purpose.

soolin

Was any treatment required by you to maintain the table? I have some solid wood furniture, including a table and was supposed to wax or oil it weekly for 3 weeks after purchase  and then every 6 months or so. I was told any temperature change could effect it so I needed to keep the wood supple? I’m not much of a housewife and hate housework but a bees wax (vegan alternatives are available) rubbed in and polished every 6 months or so has kept my table in good order and it’s coming up to 30 years old now. 

Section62

WIAWSNB said:

...
Prob worth calling a few local carpenters, too...

Ideally it needs a cabinet maker. A carpenter might try fixing it with a couple of 6" nails.

Also worth checking the company's T&C's and other publications.  The style of the table looks 'rustic'... (note the roughness of the knots and the machining marks), which might explain the "wasn't anything to worry about" comment.... i.e. you expect some splits and other defects on a table of this style (and you've been charged extra to have them)

WIAWSNB

Section62 said:

Ideally it needs a cabinet maker. A carpenter might try fixing it with a couple of 6" nails.

The style of the table looks 'rustic'...

Suitably rustic, then. 

MyRealNameToo

Ken2000 said:
It's not been near any sources of heat.

In the photo it's right next to a radiator? Can you clarify therefore how it's not been near a heat source when you've photographed it a few cm from one? 

bjorn_toby_wilde

MyRealNameToo said:

Ken2000 said:
It's not been near any sources of heat.

In the photo it's right next to a radiator? Can you clarify therefore how it's not been near a heat source when you've photographed it a few cm from one? 

If you look earlier in the thread the OP says the rad hasn’t been on since they bought the table