Hi Gary
Please give me your thoughts on this design question. I’m designing a dictionary stand in the style of Greene & Greene in solid cherry wood. The lid of the desk/stand will be 5/8″ thick with bread board ends. My question is this: would it enhance the design if the bottom which is also 5/8″ thick if it was built with breadboard ends?
From a structural point of view it would help with the wood movement problem. I have seen a few boxes and chests with cracked bottoms caused by wood shrinkage.
The stand is 21″ x 18″.
I have spent a lot of time looking but cannot find an example of this approach to solid wood bottoms.
Happy New Year,
Terry
PS I enjoy your articles a lot
Replies
Hey Terry,
I think that breadboard ends on the bottom would look fine. The key element to Greene and Greene is texture. That is, rounded edges, surfaces that are not flush, bits of inlay and carving. Breadboard ends fit right into this so having them on the bottom would make sense. IF, it's going to be seen.
Not having a drawing in front of me, I can't tell where this bottom is seen. Is it visible from all vantage points? If so, breadboard the ends. If it's inside the stand, then it's of less importance to me from a design standpoint. Consider how it will be viewed. Make sure as well that the bottom is attached to the stand so that it can move without restraints. This will help to avoid any cracking. Good luck. Have fun.
Gary Rogowski
http://www.northwestwoodworking.com
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