This is by far the largest panel I have ever made- 23″x32″ by 3/8″ thick… and I’m not sure I should just glue the edges together or make a nice little joint along the edge. If I make an 1/8″ dado cut and a 1/8″ tenon is that weaker or stronger than edge gluing? Table tops of any size don’t phase me but… this is just so… thin! Any comments would be much appreciated!
Cross section of edge joint idea…
Replies
Just glue the straight edges. I've not made door panels that size, but have made drawer bottoms, dust covers etc. about that size from various hardwoods @ 1/4" to 5/16" and they didn't come apart.
Chipper,
I agree with rob. Just edge glue them together with FRESH glue. If your glue is more than 6 months old, throw it away. Buy new stuff and you'll be good.
Scott
I like to use a thin kerf blade, groove both edges and then insert a strip. I lightly chamfer the edges of the panel boards so they know it's real wood. No increase in strength, but it keeps things lined up and does NOT look like it might be plywood. (which happens if you do a nice job of edge gluing)
One way of joining very thin panels successfully is to lay them tight together on a flat board, e.g., chipboard and screw a straight strip of wood along one edge.
Mark a pencil line along the other edge and lift off the panels. Screw a second strip of wood to just hide the pencil line you drew so that the two panel parts are slightly sprung up off the base board at their join line.
Now the panels have to be forced down gently to lie flat. Apply glue to the edge joints and squash the panels flat in your gluing jig. Put some weight on top to hold the panel down (or add a G, F, spring, etc., cramp at either end) as the glue cures.
Make sure to wax, polish, or slip in a thin sheet of plastic, etc., below the join line to prevent your panel sticking to the gluing jig. You can add a sash cramp or two spanning the wood cramping strips if required. Bingo-- perfect alignment. Your tongue and groove joint as pictured shouldn't be needed. It's mostly just extra work for no real gain if your edge joints are properly prepared in the first place. Slainte.
Yo there Richard, I can see that since you are back in the UK, you have gotten rid of your clamps and replaced them with cramps!!!
Ah, jako, I've been using both for years-- I just happened to be in a cramping mood that day, not a clamping mood, ha, ha. Slainte.Website
I went the other way,used to cramp now only clamp!and the beer is cold and fizzy
Hey! Thanks everyone! I'm going out to the shop right now, clean up my edges, and glue this sucker together!
Buy some pinch dogs from Woodcraft. Ten bucks for ten dogs. Learn to use them - they're your third hand.
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