Replies

1. 
   RickL | Apr 10, 2009 07:13pm | #1

   "he then pins the panels with 1/8 inch dowels. but won't he have problems when the panels expand and contract?"

   You pin the panel in the middle, top and bottom,  so expansion,contraction is equalized. We used to just assemble our rails and stiles with the panel in place and shoot a pin in the center, top and bottom  of the panel through the rails to secure the panel in the center and a few pins in the joints of the rails and stiles so we could take them out of the clamps immediately and glue up another door without waiting for the glue to dry while clamped.

2. 
   gofigure57 | Apr 10, 2009 07:34pm | #2

   Sean, What Rick stated works fine, I use a 23 ga pinner.

      Tom.

3. 
   mike4244 | Apr 11, 2009 04:11am | #3

   Rick's way is the simplest and most accepted way. I do not have a pinner so I just use a 3/8 or 1/2" wire brad nail.

   mike

4. 
   Samson | Apr 11, 2009 06:14am | #4

   The posts above have given you the answer, but I would have explained it differently, so just in case:

   A solid wood panel (as opposed to ply or mdf where there is no expansion issue) only expands in width, and not perceptibly in length.  The end grain sides never get further apart if you will.  If you are only pinning the middle of these end grain sides, the wood can still expand and contract in width on either side of the pin (i.e., the pinned point/mid-line is the only thing being held still.

1. 
   seandequeiroz | Apr 12, 2009 03:32am | #5

   thanks, i guess i was thinking he pinned it in four places but reading it over i see that you guys are right and if you just put two pins in the middle of the end grain side there should be no problem. thanks for the help sean