I started a new project, this will be a cabinet to put my bird cage on (one of the legs broke off, and it's been resting on a piece of PT 2x4 for 6 months now....). The cabinet will have a big shelf for the kitty litterbox.
I liked the episode on the Woodsmith Shop on making frames and panels, so I decided to give that a try. Plus, I had to do something with that great plywood I got from Robert. Since I'm going to paint it, I decided to use poplar for the frames.
Dryfitting a panel:
One thing I learned is that it is OK for the plywood to be somewhat loose. The stub tenons need to be tight, but not the plywood. Once you add glue, it swells a little, and won't budge even if you whack it with the Big Orange Deadblow.
Here is the rear panel:
All the panels done:
This is what it is supposed to look like in the end (it will have a top of course):
I plan to join the sides with biscuits, no brads in this one:
The picture is a little fuzzy, but the joint is perfect. I found a video on the Youtubes (on the Internets) on cutting biscuit joints, the woodworker used a piece of sandpaper underneath the biscuit joiner when making the surface slots, to raise it slightly. That ensures the edge of the mating piece will stand just a hair proud, which can be easily sanded flush:
I tried to use biscuits to attach a piece of poplar trim to the plywood top. That didn't work out so well. Turns out there is a slight bow in the plywood (shocking!), so the biscuit slots don't line up. Arg! I think I'll just glue some biscuits in to fill most of the holes, cut them flush, and just use glue and clamps. One case where biscuits actually make alignment harder....
Anyway, I discovered I really like frame and panels, even if they're plain and flat. The biscuit jointer works like a champ, I think I'll also use it to attach the bottom. Attaching the top with biscuits might be too difficult, since it will have an overhang (alignment has to be spot on). I may just use screws instead.
I liked the episode on the Woodsmith Shop on making frames and panels, so I decided to give that a try. Plus, I had to do something with that great plywood I got from Robert. Since I'm going to paint it, I decided to use poplar for the frames.
Dryfitting a panel:
One thing I learned is that it is OK for the plywood to be somewhat loose. The stub tenons need to be tight, but not the plywood. Once you add glue, it swells a little, and won't budge even if you whack it with the Big Orange Deadblow.
Here is the rear panel:
All the panels done:
This is what it is supposed to look like in the end (it will have a top of course):
I plan to join the sides with biscuits, no brads in this one:
The picture is a little fuzzy, but the joint is perfect. I found a video on the Youtubes (on the Internets) on cutting biscuit joints, the woodworker used a piece of sandpaper underneath the biscuit joiner when making the surface slots, to raise it slightly. That ensures the edge of the mating piece will stand just a hair proud, which can be easily sanded flush:
I tried to use biscuits to attach a piece of poplar trim to the plywood top. That didn't work out so well. Turns out there is a slight bow in the plywood (shocking!), so the biscuit slots don't line up. Arg! I think I'll just glue some biscuits in to fill most of the holes, cut them flush, and just use glue and clamps. One case where biscuits actually make alignment harder....
Anyway, I discovered I really like frame and panels, even if they're plain and flat. The biscuit jointer works like a champ, I think I'll also use it to attach the bottom. Attaching the top with biscuits might be too difficult, since it will have an overhang (alignment has to be spot on). I may just use screws instead.
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