Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Jan 05, 2005 09:34pm | #1

   Sounds right.Make a scaled drawing first,to see.

   Panel should/could be 1/4" or if it's a raised panel the question is moot because the panel edge must be held in a dado, so you'd make it 3/4", traditionally.

   
   

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   Edited 1/5/2005 2:59 pm ET by JACKPLANE

2. 
   notDusty | Jan 06, 2005 07:06am | #2

                  willyeh ,

         The panel IMO should not stick out past the face of the frame . When using 3/4" frame stock I generally take the panel thickness down to 9/16 " to 5/8" . The panel will be shy of the back of the frame by the dimension left behind the slot in the frame.  There is no reference from the face where the panel ends on the inside.Make sure to plan on the face frame if there is going to be one , where it meets the finished end panel , if you want 3" net size your front stiles will need to be 2 and 3/16" or 2 1/4" to equal 3" . Also you will need a right and left especially if you are orienting the grain of the panels in a certain way. On larger end panels like you may make for the top section I generally use a bit larger rails then the stiles are. It makes for a stronger joint and a more balanced look depending on the style and design of the particular piece .Another nice touch is to run a center stile and create 2 panels in each end. There are so many combinations and ways of doing things and none of them are wrong , as long as you are happy with the results.

                         good        luck                   dusty

                   

1. 
   willy | Jan 06, 2005 06:21pm | #4

   I appreciate your suggestions - - this is my 1st. query on the board and I'm overwhelmed by the help-

1. 
   notDusty | Jan 07, 2005 04:58am | #5

               willyeh ,

        You are quite welcome . You will find many here have vast knowledge on most subjects , and are willing to freely help any who seek it. A person can get educated real quick on any given matter, simply by asking .

                              dusty

3. 
   BG | Jan 06, 2005 03:45pm | #3

   willyeh,

   You did not mention how wide the base piece will be, but you did indicate you'll have two drawers...side by side or verticle?  I bring this up because I did a similar dimensioned piece recently and found the draw fronts kinda dictated the panel design for the best look.  In my situation I did break up the side panels with another stile so the panels on the side looked similar to the draw fronts....just a thought.

    

4. 
   bobJackson | Jan 07, 2005 07:39am | #6

   I typically buy my frame and panel stock at 15/16. I then plane to get rid of most of the surface defects. Ill wind up about a little strong of 13/16. I then make up my frames and panels. Panels are raised and I use a backcutter. Now my panel lies very close to flush front and rear. After doors are assembled and glued Ill run them through the sander to flush up frame joints and also the panel is flush both front and back. Nice looking door and full thickness too for strength.  Good luck  Bob

1. 
   notDusty | Jan 07, 2005 07:06pm | #7

                     Hi Bob J ,

         Just out of curiosity , how does the panel being full thickness add strength , I know it would add weight ,especially when the panel is floating in the frame . Please enlighten us .

                             thanks                    dusty

1. 
   UncleDunc | Jan 08, 2005 01:28am | #8

   Well, if added thickness doesn't add strength, why don't we all make our panels 1/16" thick to save money on materials?The strength of a panel in bending increases as the square of the thickness. A 3/4" panel will be four times as strong in bending as a 3/8" panel. The stiffness of a panel in bending increases as the cube of the thickness. A panel twice as thick as another will be eight times as stiff, or 1/8 of the deflection under the same load.

1. 
   notDusty | Jan 08, 2005 03:48am | #9

                Hi Uncle Dunc ,

        While it is certainly true a thicker panel would be stiffer, as far as bending or flexing , think about it once in the groove of the frame little flexing or bending takes place to my knowledge. Agreed thicker is stiffer. With the panel fitting into a 1/4" groove size it would seem to me the 1/4" thickness would be the weakest thinnest part of the panel regardless of the overall thickness.IMO it would be un reasonable to use 1/16" thick panels.A floating panel adds no strength to the frame , but yes the panel becomes more stiff.

                         dusty

    

    

2. 
   bobJackson | Jan 09, 2005 04:40am | #10

   Hi Uncle Dunc. Thank you for your reply to the question addressed to me. I did not know all the formulas of wood strength, only that the way that I described makes a good door and stiff is obviously better. It also lets your machinery do the work for you. They look good with the panels flush with the front and back of the frames. Thanks again  Bob