Period corner cupboard construction

RichieD | Posted in Joinery on July 24, 2003 03:42am

I’m planning to make a period corner cupboard but am unsure of the method used for side construction for it. The sides are 30″ wide approximately, both top and bottom. The bottom has wood front doors and the top glass. I have read that the sides were made of narrow tongue and groove boards but was under the impression that they would have been edge glued to produce one wide 30″ board. Which method was used – or were both used? Appreciate your guidance and advice. Richard

Replies

jagwah | Jul 24, 2003 09:47pm | #1
Richie-

Your right to think the boards would have to be edge glued to make such a wide board. But typical to this type of construction the boards were tongue and grooved, not glued to allow for movement. They were single nailed at the top and bottom, held in at the sides by the front frame and vertical back piece.

Sometimes if the front doors were framed glass or no doors at all the back was a nice beadboard detail.

Hope this helps

Edited 7/24/2003 2:49:04 PM ET by Bob

RichieD | Jul 25, 2003 08:20pm | #2
Thanks for your input. Then, how was the front and back - and the two short sides - joined to the top and bottom? I'm a bit surprised that no dovetailing was used in the case construction as seemed typical of the times. Is it because of the type of furniture - maybe a utilitarian cabinet - or was it because it was the best method to use on wide boards?

Richard