Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Feb 19, 2008 07:26pm | #1

   If you do a search here for "Norm" and "Cabinets", you'll find a recent discussion centering around whether to use 3/4" or 1/2" ply for cab backs -- the discussion was prompted by the article in the recent mag about Norm Abrams' cab tips -- he advocated 3/4", IIRC. There's pro's and con's for each. In the end, like so much else in WW-ing, there is no "right" answer to your question. More like "it depends."

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

2. 
   saschafer | Feb 19, 2008 08:02pm | #2

   As a structural member of the cabinent, the back panel is stressed primarily in shear, so anything that's heavy enough not to tear where it's fastened at the edges to the frame is strong enough--even heavy paper would do if it were glued carefully.

   The need for heavier materials relates to other more secondary considerations. For example, is the cabinet going to be fastened to the wall via the back? If so, then it needs to be much heavier than if there will be some other, separate fastening means. Another consideration is puncture resistance: While a cabinet back tends to escape most of the abuse that other parts of the cabinet are subjected to, it's still nice if an errant strike doesn't punch a hole through it.

   These other considerations favor a heavier back, but the trade-off is cost* and weight (which can indirectly affect cost by making installation more expensive). There is thus no one "right answer." You need to make the back heavy enough to satisfy the requirements of mounting and durability expectations, whatever those might be.

   -Steve

   *It's conceivable that using a single thickness for all components will reduce costs enough to outweigh the added cost of thicker-than-typical backs, but you'd have to run the numbers in your particular case to know for sure.

    

1. 
   Terrenord | Feb 19, 2008 08:39pm | #3

   Thanks guys.  I think.  I`m gonna go with a complete box made of 5/8 plywood.  I think the plates will break before they go through the back of that and they should be able to sustain quite a load once mounted on the wall.