There was a thread on this topic last year, but I don’t think it solves my problem…

My pantry cabinet project involves some doors that are about 5′ tall and 16″ wide. The rails and stiles will be solid red oak, 3/4″ by 3″. The panel will be 1/2″ red oak plywood. Mounted to the back of each door will be a full length set of can shelves, not unlike inside a refrigerator door. I figured it would make sense to use the plywood panel as a major structural element to hold all that weight. So I plan to rabbet the 1/2″ panel so that it is flush on the back side, and the resultant tongue fits into a groove on the insides of the rails and stiles. The front will then have a flat Shaker look.

All that said, I’m wondering what kind of gluing strategy I should pursue. Do I glue only the centers of the rails and stiles to the plywood? I read that the plywood isn’t going to move, but you still have to allow for the solid rails & stiles to move.

I don’t think I want the plywood to float freely, because that would allow the rails & stiles to rack.

Oh, and yes, I’m using plenty of hinges 😉

Thanks in advance,

proje