Replies

1. 
   _mj_ | Feb 28, 2024 03:53pm | #1

   18 or 20 inches of maple will move a bit. Usual practice if for the panel to be captured in grooves so it can move freely without impacting the structure.

   What you are describing would effectively be 2 breadboard ends formed by each leg with the panels pinned in the center and floating outward. The top will alternate between having a gap below it and possibly held up higher than the legs. If the sides shrink below the top of the legs in winter you'll have issues if the top is hinged off the sides. You should absolutely have all of the body panels' grain running the same way.

   If you glue the panels solidly to the legs the joints will eventually fail. It's an interesting idea, but IMO you're making life harder for yourself.

1. 
   DRBWWing | Feb 29, 2024 02:28pm | #5

   My thinking, too. Except I would pin at the top.

2. 
   oxmach | Feb 28, 2024 09:30pm | #2

   I had a similar dilemma when doing a couple of night stands recently. Phil Lowes Queen Anne Lowboy is a similar construction. Horizontal grain with no rails and legs. I agree with MJ that it is similar to a breadboard end but closer to a headboard on a bed. You would pin and glue the top tenon and only pin the others with elongated holes and allow space in the mortises allowing movement down towards the foot only.

1. 
   jharveyb | Feb 28, 2024 11:13pm | #3

   oxmach spoke my mind. All four sides grain horizontal, grooves near their bottoms for the bottom panel to slip in, and all the movement is at the bottom. You may want to apply finish before glue-up to the area of the inside of the legs where contraction of the sides might show an unfinished area.

2. 
   john_c2 | Feb 29, 2024 12:15am | #4

   I was thinking exactly the same as oxmach. This is how lowboys were traditionally made.

   Using four posts for blanket chests isn't common though. Most were dovetailed corners. But it doesn't mean you shouldn't use the posts, if that's the design you want.