I am in the process of building some base cabinets (veneered 3/4 plywood) for my shop which will used as a miter saw station. They will be on a 4″ base that was built to level the floor, etc. I haven’t worked much with sheet goods so haven’t done much experimenting.
Question is how much difference in strength is there between the top and bottom being constructed with butt joints that are glued and screwed vs. ones where the top and bottom are rabbitted in?
Thanks in advance for for thoughts.
Replies
For shop cabinets, I would just make the top so it sits on top of the sides and back. I would nail & glue a cleat in for the bottom.
On the other hand, doing the bottom with dados and the top with rabbets would give you some practice making these joints and a few mistakes isn't a catastrophe.
I agree - I've treated everything I've built for the shop as practice pieces. So, I have some drawers built with dovetails and some with miter locks. Experimented with different M&T joints on the bench. So, think about dovetails to connect the top to the sides - LOL!
If you rabbet the joint, it'll be a bit stronger. If you install a cleat or corner brace to mount the top by screwing into the top from underneath and add a band around the whole top, it won't matter how you do the corners. If the box will be subjected to racking, use the rabbet. Check the Lee Valley site for hardware. Go to http://www.leevalley.com and click on the hardware section. For that matter, if you need tools, check that area out, too. They have good prices and great service.
You can also get leveling feet that can be adjusted through a hole in the bottom, too. That way, you have more flexibility for the cabinet's location. If you decide to move it, you'll need to relevel it.
Bap
If you use butt joints you are going to have to counter shear forces . Screws & glue arn't as strong as a rabbit obviously due to the 'lip' transfering the downward forces.
You mentioned using a box base & if the gables are sitting directly on top of this base & the top overlays the gables then the box is as strong as it needs to be with screws/glue, provided a back or some other form of diagonal bracing is used.
However as other posters have said this is a good time to expand your skills.
Don
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