Thread: beginner floating panel help

G'day mate, and welcome. I can't answer your question but am confident some one here will. There are many experienced members so it's a matter of waiting.

soth

Originally Posted by Endalaus

Hi All

I'm a beginning woodworker with a few basic skills, which I'm trying to improve - so all constructive criticism is welcome!

I'm building a jewellery box from 1 inch european oak and black walnut. The box is going to be about 6x10 inches and 5 inches high with one drawer and one removeable tray. I'm using keyed mitre joints for the sides (which I've finally managed to plane to exactly 45 degrees and the right length). I've already cut, routered and planed the main pieces and they all seem to fit well enough. The lid is frame and panel, with the panel bevelled and raised about 1/2 inch above the frame (I've tried to attach a diagram of this).

My newbie question is how do I stop the panel from moving around after assembly? it's a fairly tight fit but could move if pushed. Obviously I can't glue it in and I'm at a loss.

The base is of a similar construction but less prone to movement as I planed it down to 1/2 inch thickness to sit only about 1/16th proud of the frame.

after that I'll start on the tray - hopefully walnut sides held together with the first hand-cut dovetails I've tried for 15 years or so...


Thanks in advance!

You can add a dab of glue at the center of the grooves on the ends. This will allow the panel to float toward the sides unrestricted, but hold it centered without moving.

Endalaus,

Woodworker's supply stores here in the US sell packages of small rubber balls about 1/4" in
diameter that are inserted into the grove of the frame to take up the expansion space. When the panel expands, the little balls simply compress. If you use them on all four sides, the panel will float in the center of the frame. There are also some 1/4" square and about 3/4" long foam pieces sold for the same purpose. You should be able to find something like them in the UK also.

Hope this helps,
Bob

What Doug said works for me.

I normally do what Doug suggested, a small dab of glue in the center of the end grain ends. That locks the panel in the center but allows it to expand out to the sides. Mind you with only 6" wide you're not going to get much movement at all - depending on the wood. 4 - 5" & i don't even bother with allowing for expansion, not unless its the type of timber is particularly suseptable to movement.

I do what Doug has mentioned and I have had no problems.

Thanks everyone - when I eventually finish it I'll post some pics.