Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 31, 2007 05:49pm | #1

   With plywood panels, you don't have the same wood movement problems that you have with solid wood panels.  The panels can be glued firmly in place.  Only the rails and stiles can move, and they are narrow enough that the movement is usually minor.  Therefore prefinishing the rails and stiles would likely be overkill.  I would generally only stain a small distance past the depth that the panels will be embedded, leaving most of the edges unfinished so as not to impede gluing.  Then you should be fine finishing rails and stiles together. 

   With panels already finished, you either forego any gluing, or just scrape finish off of a few places inorder to glue the panels in.  Gluing adds strength, but the added strength is seldom really needed. 

1. 
   carlmccarty | Jan 31, 2007 06:45pm | #2

   Thanks Steve. That should save a lot of time.

1. 
   Rich14 | Jan 31, 2007 07:17pm | #3

   Carl,

   It's really a matter of personal preference, after trying it both ways. In frame and panel construction, I believe the frame provides all the strength and plywood panels do not need to be glued. (of course, solid panels never are)

   I prefinish panels whether made from solid stock or plywood. I also prefinish the frame parts as much as possible. I simply find it easier to work on such construction before final glue-up and do as little finishing as possible after gluing. I think it's harder to work into the corners after glue up, and I don't like the accumulation of finish which is inevitable there.

   However, some workers find such buildup of stain, toner and finish to be attractive, depending on the style of the piece. My frame and panel construction is in a Scandanavian-modern style and I need the entire look to be "clean."

   On plywood panels, I tape off a thin band on the edges and apply only a few dabs of glue, mainly so the panels will not rattle later. I've been wanting to try Space Balls instead and I have a large project coming up in which I'll give them a try.

   Also, another useful construction technique is to let the panels into the frame from the back as in a picture frame. I then secure the panels with a thin strip of mitered molding of the same or contrasting wood as the frame, held with a tiny bead of hot hide glue or small brass screws. It adds a decorative touch to the inside of the door when the cabinet is opened. Most of my cabinetry is unstained maple and I find myself using mostly ebony or padauk for the thin molding. I always apply face veneer to both sides of plywood panels done this way.

   Rich