I am building a hard maple headboard. The posts, bottom and curved top are 8/4 and the center panel is solid 3/4 (not plywood) all joints are butt joints that are dowelled and glued. The center 3/4 panel section has started to crack. Should this be dadoed into the 8/4 and left to float? and if so is this strong enough? By the way, the wood is dry.
Thank you.
Edited 2/3/2007 10:09 pm ET by bluebench
Replies
I belive I understand what you are talking about. If you are talking about where the legs join the headboard, then I would have probably joined them just like I would a bread board end on a table. Pin it tight in the center, and slot the pin holes in the end of headboard to allow for movement. Since this project is already complete I am not sure how to fix it.
It would have been better to allow the panel to float as you suggest, at least partially. That is, it could have been dowelled at the center if necessary and left to float towards the top and bottom. Of course this assumes that the 8/4 framing is sturdy enough by virtue of its own joinery. It probably should be mortise and tenon. If the frame is some 3" wide or more, I think it should suffice.
The question of how to "save" what's been done already is a more complicated one. Is it reasonable to sacrifice some part of it in order to take it apart? If not, maybe you could "intentionally" cut the 3/4 panel where it has cracked and divide it into separate sections.
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
When it comes to wood movement, the wood always has the final say.
Yes, you need to somehow compensate for the headboard panel to move. Depeding upon the construction, this should be oversized mortises or a floating panel like tongue & groove or dado, floating raised panel, pins or screws in slotted holes, etc.
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