Replies

1. 
   BG | Mar 05, 2006 11:16pm | #1

   Doug,
   There was an interesting discussion about exansion/contraction recently. As your aware, each wood has its own expansion coefficient, however, no one is really sure what environment the piece will be subject to over its life time. My take away from the discussion was to provide 1/4" expansion for every 1' of panel width...and maybe 1/16" for the length.

2. 
   hammer1 | Mar 06, 2006 02:07am | #2

   If you space the sides but don't space the top and bottom the same, the profile on the raised section will show differently around the frame. If you use spaceballs or short pieces of plastic tubing, it will give a clearance of about 1/4" all around. Both the spaceballs and tubing will compress if the panel expands and keep the panel centered. Makes it easy to make the panels 1/2" less than the available space in both width and height. This should be adequate extra space for solid wood panels up to 22" wide. This, of course, is if the lumber is milled assembled and finished close to 6-8% moisture content. It always helps to seal the end grain on panels before assembly, at the minimum.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   gb93433 | Mar 08, 2006 02:24am | #3

   I usually figure about 1/16" per foot of width for flatsawn lumber and tight on the ends of the panel. Of course that will depend on what time of year it is and the moisture content of the material

4. 
   loucarabasi | Mar 09, 2006 04:22am | #4

   doug07, been fabricating doors for 20 years, 1/8inch is enough!!!!!

   -Lou

5. 
   mike4244 | Mar 11, 2006 04:21am | #5

   1/16" top to bottom,you probably can get away with 0" clearance. The side clearance depends on the size of the panel, type of wood used and the climate. In general 3/16" total will work. I do not use space balls,never seen them .I pin the panels from the back with a small brad. The brad goes in the center of the top and bottom rail.I drill a 1/32 hole in the rails,then pin with a 3/8" brads.Make sure the panel is centered before pinning. The panel can expand on each side of the center rails  and still be centered in the frame.

   mike