I’m making kneelers for my church. These are open pine boxes 8″ x 56″ x 3 3/8″. They will be turned upside down and upholstered.
I want these to last. I’m making them out of pine glued up to the 8″ width. Is it OK to glue and biscuit the 8″ wide top to the sides of the box, or should I expect wood movement and screw the 8″ wide top as I would a table top?
In other words, how much movement shoud I expect from 8″ wide pine that is 11/16 thick? These will be stained and polyurethaned.
Thanks in advance.
Replies
Pg,
Assuming you have long grain sides attached to long grain of the top you really shoudn't have a problem. One possible alternative, attach top to sides with pocket screws...and enlarge the hole in the sides. The biscuits could be more of a hinderence than a help..
If they're going to be upholstered and you're worried about cross grain construction, why not make them out of plywood instead? I'd probably put 1" square battens in all the inside corners, glue and screw the sides and top to the battens. It would be strong enough to drive a truck over, and no worries about wood movement.
Go to http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/shrinkulator.htm. There's an automatic shrinkage calculator.
I've worked on the kneelers where I attend church a couple of times, they are made of oak and have been there at least 40+ years. Ours are not the same configuration as you describe but I haven't seen any wood movement problem. I had them recovered about 5 years ago and the folks that worked on them didn't mention any problem.
I'm belong to the Episcopal Church and was Junior Warden at the time I was working on the kneelers. I find great pleasure combining my worship life and my woodworking.
God Bless and Happy Holiday
les
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