Utilization of Red Oak Press-Lam as Upholstered Furniture Frame Stock

The machining and mechanical properties of Press-Lam manufactured from red oak were evaluated in order to determine its suitability for upholstered furniture frame stock. Although Press-Lam tends to splinter slightly more than solid red oak, test results indicate there should be no serious problems in cutting parts from Press-Lam. Press-Lam was not as strong as solid red oak, but because of reduced variability, design stresses for Press-Lam would likely be nearly as high as those for red oak and certainly as great as those for yellow-poplar. Shear strength was only about 53 percent of red oak, but this would seldom present a design problem. Screw and dowel holding strength of Press-Lam was less than that of red oak but about the same as that of yellow-poplar. It was also found that metal-toothed connector plates may be used to form structural quality joints in Press-Lam. In general, no problems were encountered that would prevent the Press-Lam tested from being used as frame stock.

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