Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/jewel box glue up

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Expert: - 8/19/2008


Question

jewel box
one more guestion..sending sketch of glue up showing cross gain condition..#1 is how i do it now----#2 is same but with bottom added but glued up same as top..hopefully the screws at the front side will still let top move and not effect anything  thank you        dick----

Answer
Dick,

To make that piece more adaptable to movement, you probably should have made the side pieces with the grain running the same direction as the top. That way, they would all expand/contract at the same rate. Additionally, you wouldn't see the end grain, as you do now, on the side pieces.

Visually, it's always nice to see the grain wrap around the piece, with everything running in the same direction. Aesthetics are just as important when designing a piece as is the integrity of the joinery.

To minimize the expansion problem , you could elongate the screw holes in the top and bottom pieces. That way, when it needs (or wants) to move, the screws won't be bound up the their holes. That way, the wood can move just a bit. Elongating the holes is a common practice when dealing with movement problems.

I think that altering the holes will solve one issue, but the bigger issue is of glue creeping. When you use glue between two pieces of wood, and they want to move independently of each other, you get a little creeping, which will make your glue line pop out a bit. You can actually feel the ridge of a glue line over time, as it's crept out a bit. So I suspect the bigger issue is that, over time, you'll feel that ridge of the glue line.

A better way to have constructed this might have been without glue, but with elongated holes.

Finally, many woodworkers will solve these issues with a very slight overhang or reveal. See, if you make that butted joint perfectly  flush, and it moves, then you'll notice it. But if you have a very slight overhang that's uniform on both sides, top and bottom, it will be less noticeable. Also, you won't feel that glue creep, as it will be sort of camouflaged by the overhang.

OK, hope this helps clarify things. Write back if you need more help.

I didn't know you could send pictures through All-Experts... how cool! Must be a new thing, it's great!

Jamie Yocono
www.wooditis.com

Jamie Yocono

Expertise

Woodworker, Furniture designer/builder, industrial arts educator. Bachelor degree in Furniture Design, and journeyman carpenter, with a 4 year apprenticeship. Currently owner of custom furniture/cabinet shop in Las Vegas, NV. Can answer most woodworking questions EXCEPT those regarding repairs, refinishing, and antiques.

Experience

Bachelor in Furniture Design - Ohio University (1980) Journeyman Carpenter, Local 639 Adult educator - Developed adult education woodworking program for the University of Akron, and taught classes there for 9 years. Opened a private woodworking school in Las Vegas, NV and teach private and semi-private lessons. In 2011, I will begin teaching UNLV woodworking classes at my school. Sweet!

Organizations
Furniture Society

Publications
Tile Design and Installation Magazine (Article on inlaying tile into wood)

Education/Credentials
Journeyman Union Carpenter Bachelors degree in Furniture Design (Ohio University) College of Hard Knocks!

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