For frame and panel doors, do you prefer to use quartersawn wood for the rails and stiles over flatsawn? In reality, does grain orientation make any real difference in this application provided that you’re starting with acclimated stock? My gut feeling is that it shouldn’t matter much… But I may be prejudiced, since FS is less expensive than QS.
The specific application I’m looking at is standard cabinet doors made of european beech.
Thanks in advance,
Pete
Replies
I use QS for door rails & styles whenever possible, especially if the panels are of solid wood. The reasons are:
1. Increased stability. I want the panels to be able to move seasonally. Having the rails and styles move much only complicates things.
2. If the panels have any figure in them—and I hope they do—the straight grain in the rails & styles will complement it visually rather than compete with it.
Norman
Thank you, Norman and everyone, much appreciated as always.
The 4/4 stock will sit stickered for a couple months in my shop before use and is coming from a very reputable supplier, so it should be good and dry. The arid/semi-arid climate of Calgary helps a lot in this regard. I'll dry a chunk in the oven to confirm before starting, thanks for the reminder.
I hadn't thought about vertical grain accentuating the look of the highly figured panels--great advice, thank you. I'll go with QS.
It helps that I found a source that will sell me QS for $5.65 (Canadian) per board foot. Much better than the $10 or so per FS bf than some of the suppliers around here!
Cheers,
Pete
I have no idea..
But I may be prejudiced, since FS is less expensive than QS. I get the QS if I can get it as a sort of reasonable price.
Sapele is the only wood I can find around here like that.. NICE wood but clogs up my vacuume and my lungs using a sander...
It really won't make any difference in a kitchen cabinet unless you choose some knarly grained boards. The most important issue is how dry the lumber is. You said, "acclimated". I'd feel better if you said 7% moisture content. European red beach is very stable. It's often used for workbenches. As long as you can get your lumber flat, straight and square, as well as your joinery and clamping up correct, you should be fine. Nine times out of ten, problems are caused by these more than the lumber.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Quarter sawn is mostly more stable and the larger the door the more I worry about it. Also the width of the r and s, type panel and etc. Devil is in the details. . Personally I love the vertical grain look when possible, but usually well chosen flat sawn will do. In either event if i try organize the pieces for an appearance match or complementary appearance for best results. Most folks seem to appreciate the difference even if they can't say why.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled