January 15, 201214 yr I am working on my granddaughter's chest and am planning to make a seat out of the top. I have included a photo of a chest similar to the one I am building and you can see the top with three boards on it. How would you attach the two boards  that run across the grain? Â
January 15, 201214 yr Ron, I would secure them from the bottom with screws, under the lid. Counter sink then cover with dowel plugs and cut and sand flush.John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
January 15, 201214 yr Author NO Glue? I thought maybe some glue in the center 3 inches only. I also considered using dowels, instead of screws, but that would require glue and I have little experience with cross grain boards like that.Â
January 15, 201214 yr Ron, on older chests those top pieces are missing half the time. The reason is they get snapped off and broken, so I think no glue would be wise, this would give you the option of being able to easily replace a top piece if it did take a hard hit from the kids in the future or what nots. Plus it would allow the wood to move cross directional since across the grain is the most movement.Ron Altier said:NO Glue? I thought maybe some glue in the center 3 inches only. John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
January 15, 201214 yr Ron,If using a solid wood top I would join the sides to the back with splined miters, glue the back piece in place and 1-2" of the sidesby the miters. I would secue the middle and front of the sides with slotted holes and pan head screws. place a washer under the screw heads and tihten them to just shy of snug to allow the to to move. If using an edgebanded plywood top I'd just glue them into place as wood movement shouldn't create an issue.Round Barn WoodCrafts, Plymouth WIroundbarnwoodcrafts@hotmail.com
January 15, 201214 yr Author Thanks for all the suggestions. I never thought about those boards being snapped off. That is a real concern with this chest going to a 6 year old and I'd to be able to replace it easily. I also like the splined miters and will give it some thought.Â
January 15, 201214 yr Ron, I built a box similar to this last month. Here's something to consider. If the back and side vertical decorative pieces are tall it will impede the opening of the lid especially if it will be against a wall. I opted to put the lid inside the trim work.Ron DudelstonAbove and Beyond WoodWorks
January 16, 201214 yr I would agree with Ron. Mount the side pieces on a boards and cut the top to fit inside the trim pieces. It will make opening and closing less an issue.John MoodyJohn Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com
January 16, 201214 yr Author My wife is going to make a flat cushion that will fit inside the boards and attach it with velcro, so the chest can also be a bench seat.
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