I am making a case that is 65 long x 21 deep x 21 tall and am just a little short of using all solid wood. I have a piece of sepele plywood that is 1/2 inch thick that I will dado into the case for the back and let it have room for the movement of the solid wood. I am wondering how I would use this for the bottom also. There are three vertical dividers and adjustable shelving on two thirds of the cabinet and drawers on the last third so there will be plenty of support for the 65 inch length inside. However I am worried about attaching the bottom and dividers because of the wood movement. The bottom is a necessary support and will need to be attached solidly to help hold the case square. The plywood is only finished on one side so I can’t switch up and use it for dividers or shelves. Any suggestions will help. Or do I have to worry about the sides and dividers moving enough to cause a problem.
thanks
tony
Replies
Tony,
There may be those who would suggest all kinds of tricks, but I think you should make your case either all plywood or all solid. If you want to make it from ply, then you can double your 1/2" material behind a solid face frame to get any "thickness" you need for the verticals. If you're short of ply material you can also forgo making a full top - just a strip in front and in back to brace the case, and use an additional solid piece of sapele over them for the top.
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1
Tony,
If the dividers are made up as frame and panel assemblies the frames can be attached to the plywood without a problem. If the dividers are solid wood with the grain running vertically then you will have a cross grain movement problem if you attach the dividers to the bottom plywood panel.
Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998 to 2007
You are correct with that however the sides are also solid wood with the grain running vertical so even using frame and panel for the dividers still presents a problem with the sides. Would I have the same problem with the bottom made of plywood if the grain was running horizontal. I really cant do this for end grain reasons but for future design considerations it would be helpful to know.
thanks
tony
If it not too late you could apply the sides as finished ends to the plywood sides of the cabinet box and just screw them from the inside without glue to allow some movement .
If the partition walls and deck or bottom are all plywood then there is no movement , only the ends .
regards dusty
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