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Has anyone else been diving into the physics behind DIY furniture lately? I've been watching a lot of videos about structural integrity, and it's fascinating how much simple physics plays a role in whether that new coffee table you're building will actually hold up, or end up collapsing under the weight of a few books.
Specifically, I'm curious about experiences people have had with different joinery methods.For example, a simple butt joint might look clean, but understanding the sheer force applied to it compared to, say, a mortise and tenon joint really highlights the importance of load distribution. I'm wondering what resources people have found helpful for visualizing these forces. Are there any good online simulators or even just clear diagrams that illustrate the stress points on different types of furniture joints?
beyond just the joints, material selection seems equally critical. A beautifully designed table made from a softwood might look great initially, but could warp or fail under sustained pressure, compared to a hardwood. I'd love to hear about people's favorite resources for understanding material properties relevant to furniture building. What factors besides cost and appearance do you consider when choosing between different types of wood, or even alternatives like metal or composites?