I’m ready to assemble glued-up side panels to a TV cabinet. The panels are 25″ wide 58″ high and consist of 7/8 ” eastern white pine stock. The individual boards are 6″ wide or less and the MC is 8%.
The top and bottom frame members are 1″ x 3″ Douglas fir, the back frame is 2″x2″ inch oak.
Because the cabinet will have pocket door hardware that requires 2-1/4″ clearance between the side panel and any component inside the cabinet, I cannot have a front frame, face frame or corner blocks.
How can I attach panels to the top, bottom and back frame in such a way that will make a strong joint without having the panels crack when/if the panels expand or contract?
I appreciate any suggestions that you can provide .
Bob
Replies
Hi Bob,
If I understand your question correctly, you want to attach those 25", sure to expand and contract, panels to your top and bottom frames made up of 1/3 fir. Well that's no problem as long as you remember those panels will continue to move over time.
Cut slot dovetails into the panels and attach all those frame members in that way. It's not a huge joint, but on wider frame members you can use two tails let into the top of the white pine panels. Fill those top and bottom frames with their own panels let into rabbets in them and you should have a decent case put together. The back is let into rabbets cut into the side panels and screwed in place.
Personally, I'd run the top rails in that way. The bottom rails I'd turn on edge so the 3" part was visible and available for shaping and run a mortise and tenon joint into the pine. This gives you more gluing surface and a stronger bottom rail as well. Let me know if this makes sense. Gary
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