I am replicating an old finger-jointed recipe box. Mine are out of cherry; the original is white oak.
The lid is glued down. The lid is rabbetted and overlays the sides, front and back of the box. The bottom is set within the sides and glued flush.
Can I trust that the wood will all move uniformly? Do the multiple finger (box) joints prevent the movement? I can’t see that there is any room for expansion between the lid and sides.
I could let the top and bottom float as I would door panels, but that is not in keeping with the original.
Maybe the movement is minimal since we are talking about a box the size of a 4×6 recipe card.
Dave
Replies
Dave,
In principle you're right that there's a problem, but the small size probably makes it a theoretical discussion only. Cherry is usually well-behaved, at least in comparison to oak, so my guess is that a 4" x 6" top is not going to give you any problems being glued to the box. The finger joints of the corners are irrelevant to the question. If you are gearing up to make 100's of these for commercial use, you are going to have a certain small percent that will return. But if it's for personal use, go ahead. Use QS if you can for the top.
DR
In addition to what Ring has said: you could get further comfort by using a finish on the boxes that helps increase the hysteresis factor of Cherry . What do you want to finish them with anyway?
I made 50 boxes of similar size to yours out of African Mahogany-thin stock with tops rebated and glued in like yours, sprayed one coat shellac and one coat catalysed lacquer- there were no problems.Philip Marcou
Sorry: that should have been addressed to Dave-but how are things in Israel these days?
Edited 4/21/2006 3:55 am by philip
Philip,
(Dave, I hope you don't mind us hijacking this thread!)
I actually just got back to Israel after being 6 weeks in New York working on a large job. I didn't listen to news the whole time, not about the middle East, anyway. And I find that I haven't missed a thing. This country has always been a high-strung place to be. The latest details change but it essentially stays the same. I hardly ever go to the cities. My place in the Galilee is a refuge from everything (almost) that you see on the news.
regards,
DR
Thanks for the advice. I plan to use a varnish, linseed oil (boiled), turpentine finish inside and out. Dave
The thing to do is to leave the top open for a couple of weeks when you first move it to its normal location. That will allow the air to get equally to all surfaces as the wood acclimates.
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