Contacted to build two matching, large roll top desks for AV equipment. I am considering the Amana tambour bit set. My primary concern is the tongue, and whether the tongue of a slat would break over time, especially if the tambour was forced if bound in its track. Can you speak to this concern? Any other concerns with the bit set for full size tambour applications?
Thanks
Woodridge, IL
- Jack
Our Expert
We certainly apprecite your interest in the Tambour Bit Set no.54314. Under normal use, there is very little stress upon the ball-and-socket joint. When the tambour is opened, the joints are under compression stress; during the process of closing the tambour, the joints are in tension (slightly stretched). The ball-and-socket joints can easily withstand both of these forms of stress. The stress required to break the joints, bending or racking stress, is limited by the track in which the tambour travels. In other words, the radius of the tambour groove prevent the tambour from bending to a point beyond its stress limit.
Even so, large tambours, such as those on a roll-top desk, are quite heavy and should be opened and closed with care. This is true with any tambour, whether made with our bit set or constructed with cloth.
When the tambour strips are cut to the correct length the completed tambour does not bind or rack; it runs smoothly and nearly effortlessly through the track. Only when the tambour strips are cut too short will they bind. If cut too short, the tambour strips will become mis-aligned in the track.
We cannot warranty the longevity or quality of a tambour made with the set because of the many factors that are out of our control such as wood selection, level of craftsmanship during construction and level abuse of the completed tambour. However, when carefully constructed of straight-grained dense hardwood, such as maple, the tambour should easily last longer than cloth-backed tambours. The tambour is also easier to construct and more attractive than a cloth backed tambour.
We suggest that you give it a try; we believe that you'll be pleased.
