Replies

1. 
   DonStephan | May 30, 2002 01:22pm | #1

   Plans should have allowed sufficient room for expansion of the panel. On average I try to leave about 1/8" gap per 12" of panel width. No glue on the panel - it needs to be able to expand and contract freely. If all edges and sides of the piece are covered with finish, expansion and contraction MAY be less extreme.

2. 
   Schenker4 | May 31, 2002 04:43pm | #2

   Another thing to consider is cutting the panels a little shorter, then putting thin string inside the grooves to take up the difference.  The string allows expansion of the panels, but also prevents the panels from floating around too much.  I've heard of other people using rubber tubing the same way.

1. 
   JonFish1 | May 31, 2002 10:33pm | #3

   That's a good idea Matt.  Thanks to both of you for your advice, but I think my joints are doomed.

2. 
   sschefer | May 31, 2002 10:46pm | #4

   There are also commercial products like space balls. String is cheaper though.Steve - in Northern California

3. 
   observer | Jun 02, 2002 07:22pm | #5

   It will probably age very nicely. Mortice and tenon frame joints are strong and the panels are soft enough particularly in the 1/4" thick tongue to compress some if you get radical humidity shifts. Unless the panels are particularly wide, I'd say no worries.

   I don't use panel spacers when building doors. I either use a small dollop of glue in the panel groove centered on the rails, or 1/8" dowel pins through the back of the door in the same location to hold the panels centred. I allow a small expansion allowance, but find that most wood arrives in my hands with higher moisture content than it will eventually have when settled in it's final location so shrinkage will enlarge the gap left when the door was made.