November 30, 201213 yr The box is going to be around 4"W x 6"L by 3"H. Do I need to worry much about wood movement? I'm thinking about a solid bottom glued to rabbit in the bottom of the box to hide it and then gluing dowel buttons for feet.This will be made out of 3/8" oak. One of the past threads I was reading was talking about using small dowels to reinforce the corner joints and for a contrasting look. With half lap joints on something this small would it be needed?BTW, thanks for all the links for the movements. Now to pick one out!!Harry BrinkBulldog WoodworkingMontana
November 30, 201213 yr Solid? I'd use 1/4" Baltic Birch. Less chance if splitting out the sides with humidity. With a box that small, the chance is minimal, but still, why even chance it?Dowels probably won't be necessary but, they'd look sweet. Or, miter the corners and add reinforcing feathers or fake dove tails. Just a thought.Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
November 30, 201213 yr trapping the bottom loose in a slot is the best way to avoid wood movement issues. If you can get a rebate to line up correctly (& you appear confident of that) then you have all the skills needed to get a slot to do so too.Of course you can cheat and glue cleats in under an over sized rebate to trap the bottom in place and still not glue the bottom ( OK it's not really cheating).  Cheating is using plywood which doesn't move much at all.The problem is the two grain directions at the ends of the bottom board where the end grain will be moving and expanding more than the long grain of the sides can accommodate.  Bread board ends like those on tables and such use tenons with the glued portion ( if any glue at all) in the center only. So yah you are correct to consider wood movement. The solution is not to glue the ends. But if all you do is set it in a rebate the board may warp and bow this would be embarrassing. Plus it might cause the bottom to fall out. Trapping it in a slot is a solution that stops the board from bowing and allows it to move with moisture changes.
December 1, 201213 yr Great suggestions guys - with that small of a box do you really think he will have the problems? Â Personally, I would miter the corners and with the sides all made from one long strip, would that solve the problem? Â With the box being only 3/8" thick sides, it would probably be rough to rabbit in the slots for the base. Â Baltic birch would definiely be the way to go for the bottom.Fredaka Pop's Shopwww.pops-shop.comEX-21 (Presently on the floor. Using my 6-year old 788 ! ! ! ! !'Soooooo many patterns - sooooo little time'
December 1, 201213 yr do you really think he will have the problems? Yes. [...] miter the corners and with the sides all made from one long strip, would that solve the problem? Nope. It's the interface of different grain directions. The wood moves very differently in the different grain patterns.
December 1, 201213 yr Just to add more confusion- the sound of the movement would probably be intensified if the pieces were all locked (glued) together rather than floating.Lew Kauffman-Wood Turners Forum HostTime traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!
December 1, 201213 yr Agreed, LewisFredaka Pop's Shopwww.pops-shop.comEX-21 (Presently on the floor. Using my 6-year old 788 ! ! ! ! !'Soooooo many patterns - sooooo little time'
December 1, 201213 yr That's right, Lewis. Harry, if you are using a truly acoustic mechanism, the very best bottom is Sitka Spruce. Whatever you use, you definitely want it solidly in place. Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
December 1, 201213 yr Just to add more confusion- the sound of the movement would probably be intensified if the pieces were all locked (glued) together rather than floating. Could glue the sides long grain to long grain and use a little space ball on the end grain to prevent buzzing. Or could just do as originally planned placing the base in a rebate and screwing it along the edges and once in the middle of the end grain. itty bitty brass screws: http://www.microfasteners.com/catalog/company_profile.cfm
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