Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Jun 28, 2006 03:04pm | #1

   Actually, radiator enclosures are pretty common. Design for plenty of wood movement by using floating panels with lots of "slop" in the slots. Don't forget to leave gaps to allow cool air to enter at the bottom. However, most of these have screens for front panels as well as the top. Remember, a radiator is supposed to radiate. What you are describing is convection heating (heat rising out of the top). If you subtract the radiation aspect, you'll lose a lot of efficiency from the unit.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

2. 
   JohnWW | Jun 28, 2006 03:09pm | #2

   The heat alone doesn't cause wood to crack.  The cracks come when the wood shrinks from the drying caused by the heat and the design of the piece doesn't allow for the shrinkage. 

   Just follow good design practice, careful choice of lumber, floating panels, or tongue and groove construction for instance, with allowance for the larger than normal wood movement and the piece should hold up just fine. 

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine

1. 
   Tomknixx | Jun 28, 2006 04:42pm | #3

   Thanks for the info. We will add a screen into the front panal to maximize heating potential. So a glued tongue and groove design to hold everything together would allow for enough expansion that there shouldn't be problems with cracking? Obviously no screws or nails as that would prevent movement. THanks again. Tom

1. 
   JohnWW | Jun 28, 2006 05:09pm | #4

   T&G is normally nailed along only one edge allowing the individual boards to expand and contract, the T&G joint between the boards keeping them aligned but permitting movement.  If your reference to "glued tongue and groove" means that you are planning to glue all the boards together down the length of each T&G edge, then the joints won't be able to open and you will have problems with cracking.

   John W.