I'm making a solid-wood panel for the center of a framed cabinet door. My first sketch had it glued firmly along every edge, but I'm realizing seasonal expansion across the grain could split something. How much clearance would you leave in the groove, and would you finish the panel before assembly so an unpainted stripe doesn't appear later? The frame will be stable, but I need the panel to move without rattling.
Planning wood movement for a solid-wood panel in a frame
- woodworking
- planning
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3 replies
Yes, leave the panel floating in the groove. Glue the frame, not the panel, and give it enough room to move without rattling when the season...
Yes, leave the panel floating in the groove. Glue the frame, not the panel, and give it enough room to move without rattling when the seasons change.
I would finish the panel before assembly if you can. Otherwise the unfinished edge can show later, and that tends to look like a mistake instead of a design choice.
How much clearance depends a bit on the species and width of the panel, so I wouldn't guess too tightly. A little room is better than forcing it and hoping the wood ignores physics.
Exactly. If the groove is so snug that the panel can't move at all, that's usually the problem, not the solution.