Question about a Pekovich design

jpe52 | Posted in Joinery on February 16, 2022 12:41am

Just wondering if anyone has taken a close look at Mike Pekovich’s design
of his “Moon jewelry chest”. It’s featured in his excellent book “The Why and How of
Woodworking”. I’m puzzled by how he treats the back panel. Not surprisingly it is
rabbeted along its upper and lower edges to fit into grooves in the top and
bottom of the chest. However, as best I can tell, the vertical edges of the back panel
are simply butted up against the sides of the chest; there are no grooves or rabbets.
The same thing is true on the smaller tea chest also featured in the book. Is this
unusual, or typical? Any comments on this would be most appreciated!

Replies

largeb | Feb 16, 2022 06:44am | #1
Looking at it I think you are right in that the ends of the back board simply butt against the sides. That should be ok as the board will expand at the same rate as the top and bottom. The internal liner will cover the end gaps, if any.
jpe52 | Feb 16, 2022 12:23pm | #2
Thanks LGeb for the comment. Actually, there will be wood movement in the
vertical direction as the back panel long grain is perpendicular to that on
the side panels. But that's easy to plan for; I was more concerned about
gaps being visible from the back where the back panel abuts the side panels.
pantalones868 | Feb 16, 2022 04:25pm | #3
I saw that once on one of his plans. I've always done all 4 sides of something like that- it's not that much in additional work. I wondered, "How come he do that?"
mikaol | Feb 16, 2022 04:56pm | #4
Nobody will notice but you. Rabbets aren't important because you'd get the same view with them. Make sure you point it out to everyone you show the piece to):