I know that a solid wood panel in a frame must be free to float to account for wood expansion and contraction, but should a plywood panel be glued in place, or left to float?
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Replies
Plywood, because of its crossgrain construction doesn't expand and contract, so it can be glued into a frame which will make a very rigid assembly. You don't have to glue it in and not glueing it reduces the chances of getting glue on the panel that will later cause finishing problems.
MDF, Masonite, and similar fiber products should not be glued in because they will expand and contract with humidity changes.
John W
The plywood should be plenty stable but the wood frame can still move. I prefer to let the panels float, using space balls or short pieces of tubing to restrict rattling. . There is less chance of making a mess with glue. If the frame moves, it can split where it is the weakest, right on the thin edge of the panel groove.
I suppose that you could glue the plywood, but I never do. If the frame joint is strong enough for a floating panel, what more would I be looking for? Spreading more glue around is just uneccessary.
DR
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