Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Nov 24, 2010 11:51am | #1

   fine vs. shop

   I'd save the aesthetic issues for fine furntiure. Since this is for shop use, I'd give precedence to the method being used to cut the joints, and whatever is most convenient for you in that regard. It is, however, convenient to think in terms of the dimension of the piece divided by the size increment of the joint. For an item with a whole-inch dimension, 1/2" joints work out well.

1. 
   gpdmtr25 | Nov 24, 2010 04:55pm | #2

   Thanks for your comment

   Thanks for the info.  I'm still learning woodworking and I figure if I can't do it in the shop then how am I ever going to do it with fine furniture? I'd like to learn in the shop so it will carry over. I wouldn't want to learn to cut finger joints or dovetails for the first time while making fine furniture.

1. 
   RalphBarker | Nov 24, 2010 07:53pm | #3

   choices

   There's nothing inappropriate about using fine-furniture techniques for shop cabinetry. In fact, hand cutting 1/2" finger joints (or, variably-spaced dovetails) on your 30W X 34H X 24D box would be a great learning experience. My previous suggestion was more intended to suggest that shop cabinetry is often subjected to greater stress than "fine furniture," so there's often more of a utilitarian aspect (strength over design aesthetics) to it. But, you might also consider much wider, surface-proud finger joints, ala Green and Green, for example, perhaps combined with decorative pins of a contrasting wood. The choice is yours.

   On the other hand, if you are using a jig to make the joints, the design of the jig will largely dictate the design options. Fixed-spacing jigs will also dictate dimensions to a degree, so as to end up with symmetrical joints. Some would say, however, that machine-cut joints would be OK for "nice" furniture, but not "fine". ;-)