Home » Knowledge Base » Knowledge Base Article What's New  |  Site Map 

 

 
   
   
 
 


Today's
Sponsors:


ATEMAG

Atlantic Machinery Corp.

Auton Motorized Systems

AWFS

B.H. Davis Company

Bailey's Inc.

Bainbridge Manufacturing

Baker Products

Banks Hardwoods

Barn Detail

Barn Door Lumber

BC Wood Specialties Group

Beautiful WoodForest Products

Beaver Tools

Benz Incorporated

Berenson Hardware

Best Cabinets

BetterVacuumcups.com

Biesse Group America

Binks

Black Bros. Co.

Blackhawk Machinery

Brazilian Direct Ltd.

Brown Wood Products Co.

Byrd Tool

C.R. Onsrud

Cab Parts

Cabinet Door Service Co.

Cabinet Pro

CabinetCRUNCHER Cutlist & 3D Cabinet Design Software

Cabinetmakers Association

CABPARTSPRO

CAD CAM for the Home and Small Shop

CADCode

Cag Lumber

Camco, Inc.

Carbide.com

Carolina Woodworking Consultants

Carter Products

Carvewright

Carving Technologies

Cash Coatings

Castle

Catskill Timber Industries

Central Hardwoods

Charles G.G. Schmidt Co.

Chicago Dowel Company, Inc.

3M Corporation

5 Star Tooling

A Brazilian Wood Depot

Abrasive Resource

Accu-Right Squareness Gauge

Accu-Router, Inc.

AceCo Precision Wood Tooling

Active Machine & Tool

Air Cleaning Systems

Air Handling Systems

Aktrin Furniture Information Center

Alan McIlvain Company

Algoma Lumber Co.

All Star Adhesives

Alliance Millsoft

Allied Machinery Inc.

AllRout

Amana Tool

Ameitech South

American Fabric Filter Co.

American Institute of Building Design

American National Woodworking Knife

American Rotary Converters

Anchorbeam Timberworks

Andreou Machinery

ANEST IWATA USA, Inc.

Antique Building Materials

Anver Corporation

Apollo Sprayers Inc.

Arbor Processing Inc.

Architectural Elements

Arkansas Wood Doors

ArtCam



WOODWEB DISCLAIMS any and all RESPONSIBILITY and LIABILITY for the accuracy and application of the information below. Readers agree to evaluate the significance and limitations of the information provided, and accept full responsibility for the application of this information. Read More ...

Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?



Frame and Panel Bookcase Back       A furniture maker gets advice on building solid cherry bookcase backs. August 21, 2006

Question
I have been commissioned to build two 6-1/2 foot tall bookcases and they are to be constructed out of solid cherry. The back will be frame and paneled with six floating panels. In an attempt to keep the weight of the base as light as possible I was going to use 1/4 inch solid cherry panels. The panels will be bookmatched pieces so there will be a glue joint in each panel. With the panels being so thin (1/4 inch) will there be much of a risk of the panels splitting? The panels will be free to float with space balls in the frame to allow for expansion. Thanks for your input in advance.

Forum Responses
(Furniture Making Forum)
From contributor A:
Use a 1/8” spline to align and prevent splitting. On rare occasions it is possible for the thin panels to split. To prevent this from happening seal the end/edge grain with lacquer or shellac before assembly. This will help control the moisture that can get in and out of the panels.



From contributor B:
If the MC is right going in and stays right you'll be fine.


From contributor C:
Is there a problem using plain sliced 1/4" cherry plywood? It is already bookmatched and as light as it gets.


From the original questioner:
The plywood for the panels would solve the issue of cracking or splitting. The cases were designed to be solid wood so I am looking for insight on how to accomplish this request. I have also considered going with 1/2 thick panels and use a raised panel bit set to fit the 1/4 inch slots but that doubles my wood cost since I won't be able to resaw the 3/4 inch boards I already have purchased.


From contributor E:
1/2" backs and machining the edges is the way if you’re stuck on using solid wood. But the weight issue? I don't buy it. It’s about the money. If you’re against plywood then give the client the 1/2" backs. Tell them about it. Don't charge them extra.


From contributor F:
When you go to resaw this 3/4" cherry, you are going to release some tension which will warp most of the thinner pieces. The best you could do is to have 2 pieces 5/16" thick with varying degrees of warpage. Gluing these together on the edges, then planing smooth is unlikely to give you a finished 1/4" panel in my opinion. It is best to plane your 3/4 down to 5/8, match it to other 5/8 thick pieces, and plane down to a finished 1/2". Keep the project doable, buy the material and get it done right. Your time is much more valuable than a few extra pieces of cherry.


From the original questioner:
This is all good feedback. It cemented my own thoughts. That's what I like about this forum, honest feedback. I sold these cases as solid cherry so that is what they will be. I took an inventory last night and I've got the lumber to do 1/2" panels.


From the original questioner:
Here’s an update. Here is a shot of the front of the first bookcase. I pre-finished the panels before glue up. It is now in the finishing room (my wife's living room). The panels ended up 5/8" think and are raised on the back.


Click here for full size image

Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?
  • KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base

  • KnowledgeBase: Furniture

  • KnowledgeBase: Furniture: Custom Furniture




    Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

    If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to
    review our Forum Guidelines.

    Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

    When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

    Return to beginning of article.



    Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy

    Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

    Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site.

    To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster

    Copyright © 1996-2008 - WOODWEB ® Inc.
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor.
    Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy.

    The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk.

    WOODWEB, Inc.
    RR4 Box 265A
    Montrose, PA 18801

    Contact WOODWEB