I purchased plans for a chair side book case with two draws. The plan is for 3/4″ style and rail with 1/4″ panels. I have the panels and rails cut out and cut the mortises and grooves. My problem is that the piece seems quite flimsy. I do not thing the glue is going to add much. I am inclined to glue some 1/4″ (aka 3/16″) plywood panels together to add substance to the project. The styles and rails are of native kiln dried Oklahoma Cherry from a saw mill that has kiln dried it. The plywood is 3/16″ birch.
Some of you may have read the article in FWW regarding gluing up 1/4″ Plywood with mdf to create 1″ plus panels as I did. That certainly would be overkill for this project. I considering two panel of 1/4″ (aka 3/16″) plywood?
All suggestions will be deeply appreciated.
Lynn Roy Porter
Replies
The panel should float, and thus does not add strength to the rail and stile frame. My normal size is 2 3/8 wide (2 inches plus the moulding part) and 3/4 inch thick.
When I got my raised panel set, I was concerned about the strength of the corner joints, so I glued two corners - one using just the matching cutters, and the other with an additional floating tenon. I forgot which corner has the tenon, but I haven't been able to break the joints, so both are obviously strong enough.
What is it that makes you feel this will not be strong enough?
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Charlie Plesums Austin, Texas
http://www.plesums.com/wood
Charlie,
I looked at all the pieces on your web page. You should know what you are talking about.
Thanks,
L. Roy Porter
Lynn,
The frame supplies virtually all the stiffness in a frame and panel assembly. As long as the frame parts are properly sized and the corner joints are tight, a 1/4" thick panel in a 3/4" thick frame should be plenty strong. Joining the panels into a box shape will also contribute a lot of strength. I've built large pieces in pine with similar dimensions for the frame and panel work with no problems.
John W.
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