Replies

1. 
   joinerswork | Jan 16, 2008 05:15pm | #1

   bill,

   If the bottom is plywood, you can glue it.  If solid wood, I'd suggest running the grain so that the width is oriented the narrow way, and make some allowance for movement.  Use stock as nearly quartersawn as you can find to minimise movement.  You might get by with nailing (no glue, except maybe for 3-4" in the center) into a dado.  Better will be to float it in a groove, so that it is supported by the aprons, especially if it is a biottom that will be supporting weight (rather than serving as a dustboard below a drawer).

   Ray

1. 
   heirloombill | Jan 16, 2008 09:26pm | #2

   Thanks for getting back to me. It is quarter sawn red oak, mission style end tables. The rail and bottom are heavy stock 7/8". I was thinking about using Festool Dominos in the center glued in and small cleats under shelf screwed in. I am not sure I have enough width in the rails for this idea. The other idea was Dominos 5 to a side, 3 in a center cluster glued in and the outside 2 glued to shelf but pinned to rail. I am really starting to lean this way now. What do you think? Bill

1. 
   joinerswork | Jan 17, 2008 01:48am | #4

   Sorry bill,

   I don't know dominos from dingleberries.  Maybe someone else can offer advice.  Red oak moves a good bit seasonally, so make allowance for its coming and going.

   Ray

1. 
   heirloombill | Jan 17, 2008 04:30am | #6

   These Dominos are the new floating tenon system from Festool Co. Basically a fancier biscuit joint I'd imagine. Bill

2. 
   JohnWW | Jan 17, 2008 12:57am | #3

   The "bottom" is a lower shelf that notches into the legs?

   John W.

1. 
   heirloombill | Jan 17, 2008 04:26am | #5

   Sorry I've been running crazy today. No the bottom shelf is 3" off the floor and is solely attached to the side rails that runs in between the legs. The rails run front to back and the grain of the shelf board also runs front to back. How would you attach this? Bill

1. 
   JohnWW | Jan 17, 2008 05:52pm | #7

   There are rails that the shelf can attach to, and the grain of the shelf runs parallel to the rails?  If that's the case, you can simply attach the top solidly to the rails. 

   If the rails run crosswise to the long grain of the shelf you have to allow for the shelf to expand and contract with buttons in slots or slotted screw holes, or something similar, to make the attachment.

1. 
   heirloombill | Jan 17, 2008 10:13pm | #8

   I like the way you're thinking. I have already run a 1/8" deep groove on the inside face of the rails for this shelf. Yes, the grain is 90 degrees to the rails. Therefore the idea of throwing in screws and a shallow plug to cover them is perfect. I can see the ease and utility of it. Thank you I think I will go this direction. I need to get these off the bench and on to the next project. Bill