Hi,
I’m designing a simple vanity for a neighbor. We want to make it a Craftsman style to match other furnishings so I get to spend some time with design and have a bit of fun with joinery..
What I’ve come up with so far, if I can explain it, is this type of cabinet door. Each of 6 will be approx. 10×15 with 2 inch stiles. I want to make the insert panel have a small detail and here’s the problem. Imagine a 1/2″ x 1/2″ dado all around the edge of the panel which will be of solid oak @ 6 1/2″ x 11 1/2″ . I want to fit the panel in @1/4″slots cut in the stiles and have an even reveal of about 1/4″ inch all the way around. Nice and square and plain.
But of course wood moves. I’d have to make the slots at least 3/8″ and I feel that having the panel float free to move will cause the least problems down the road, but there goes my detail. Obviously the panel will slip below the level I want it. I seem to think I once saw some small compressable plasic/rubber balls that one would fit in the stile that would hold the panel in place yet allow it to move. Maybe a strip of some sort of material with some give to it.
I’ve done similar with a raised panel and the larger detail hides the movement.
Oh well the joys of learning on your own…
Any ideas?..if I have happened to convey my question clearly enough
Thanks in advance,
Notrix
Replies
Notrix,
The following link has info on the space balls. Your other solution is to pin or brad nail on an angle into the back of the panel at the bottom and the top of the door. If you angle a brad nailer with a 12" brad and shoot between the groove in the rail and the panel, the panel will stay in place but still be able to move with the climate along the width. Just make sure to nail it in the middle and have your reveal set before you pull the trigger. Here's the link. http://www.cshardware.com/spaceballs.htm
Eric
I just use some clear plastic tubing, cut in 1"+- pieces. Works like space balls. You can get it in a wide variety of sizes.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
You're right that the panel has to be able to move, but that would mess up your even "reveal" if/when it does. But, it would be safe to either spot glue or pin the panels in the center, top and bottom (assuming vertical grain). That way the panel stays put, but its movement is even in both directions and your reveal does not vary, at least much. If you pin it, predril for two brads, then tap them in. Maybe that would solve your problem?
Thanks everyone,I got to thinking...Now the grain will be vertical. My limited knowledge of wood movement tells me the main movement will be the board expanding and contracting horizantaly. This I sumize means I can make the groove in the bottom rail exactly the depth I need to make the "gravity" reveal perfect, and maybe the top 1/8" over. On the stiles I will make them both 1/8" over size and use some sort of compressable spacer as suggested.How's that sound?Man I hope despite all my shop experience I can get in the "fundementals of woodworking"cals at the local JC this week.N
That would work but it sounds like a lot of extra hassle. When you mill and groove the rails and stiles for the doors you are not going to want to be changing the setup etc. and then try to keep track of which rail has the deeper groove, goes to the bottom, etc. I would make all the rails and stiles the same size and then pin it. My $.02 worth. If I did what you are describing, I would end up with one door wrong somehow. Try to keep it simple.
Eric
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled