I am building an oak box for my grandson that is designed to hold all his scout stuff (awards, pins etc.) It will be about 6″ from front to back, 11″ wide and 6″ deep. If I simply glue a a piece of oak (1/2″ stock) on top for the lid (and then cut the box an inch or so from the top to form the lid) will I have trouble with seasonal movement? We live in northern Utah which is a fairly dry climate. I considered using walnut for the lid. Would that make a difference?
Second question: On the front of the box I want to attach a small pewter disc with a scout insignia. I will drill down about 1/8″ (the thickness of the disc) with a 1 1/2″ forstner bit to accomadate the 1 1/2″ disc. What glue would be best to use to attach the pewter disc to the oak box in this fashion. I am considereing gorilla glue.
Frank
Replies
Frank,
I think the seasonal movement question has a lot to do with how the box is being formed. If it were me, I'd cut a slot all the way around the interior of the box, very close to the top and then create a rabbet around the lip of the top that fits into the slot; kind of an inset panel. My concern with gluing is you give the lid and box nothing to do except split or crack if there is any movement at all. (Small boxes like this that I've made, I make a raised panel top and install as I described above.)
Gluing the pewter disc, I would use a small amount of epoxy.
Good luck!
Kell
Thanks for your suggestions. My stock is 1/2 inch. Is this thick enough to do the raised panel lid that you suggest?
Also, Kell, how much space should I leave for the movement. Is 1/8 inch (1/16 on each side) sufficient? And I guess what you were describing was not a "raised" panel lid. It seems to me what you describe would leave a small visible gap between the lid and the top of the box. Am I correct?
Frank
Frank,
Half inch is plenty thick enough to make the lid as I described. If you leave a sixteenth on either side of the long grain and just snug on the short grain, you should be fine. As I described it, It would have the teeniest gap showing around the lid during the driest part of the year and would probably close up in wettest.
As I recall in SLC there is little moisture even in summer so maybe it's less of an issue than I think. I always prefer to err on the safe side though.
Good luck!
Kell
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