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  3. Tangential Shrinkage
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    Glossary
    Wood Movement

    Tangential Shrinkage

    Definition

    Shrinkage across the annual rings — the wide dimension of a flatsawn board. Always greater than radial shrinkage; usually about twice as much.

    In use

    Tangential shrinkage is why flatsawn tabletops need slotted hardware.

    Related Terms

    Flatsawn

    A cut where annual rings run roughly parallel to the face of the board. Shows cathedral grain on the face. Cheapest yield from a log; moves most across the face.

    Radial Shrinkage

    Shrinkage along the rays — the wide dimension of a quartersawn board. Roughly half the tangential value, making quartersawn the most stable cut.