For months I’ve been waiting to continue making a blanket chest for my wife.  I want to have raised panels, but not sure which way to have the grain run on the panels.  Here are a couple of photos that will show you what I’m talking about.  Everything is still in the very rough stage…

Should the grain go from side to side, or up and down?  Thanks for any insight.

The grain would be vertical if I was building it.

I guess it's  a matter of different preferences but, I'd go horizontal.

 

The grain should go long with the longest door stile Pauly. For cabinets that is traditional.

Strictly a matter of preference, the look you're wanting, material availability IMO.

 

You can offset any concern for expansion/ panel cracking/ splitting using THESE. No doubt similar available on Amazon. 

I guess I'm with @John Morris, make the grain run in the longer direction of the panel.  That would minimize the wood movement.  If it's square, or nearly so, I'd go vertical.  I've seen it other ways, but if the ends are raised panels, I'd have them go the same way as the front.

 

Edited February 26, 20242 yr by kmealy

Pick a direction that appeals most to your aesthetic sense.  Then make sure you allow for expansion/contraction as GPD52 mentioned. 

3 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

The grain would be vertical if I was building it.

Thanks Fred.

2 hours ago, John Morris said:

The grain should go long with the longest door stile Pauly. For cabinets that is traditional.

Thank you ,John.  That’s what I was thinking, but wasn’t sure.

1 hour ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Strictly a matter of preference, the look you're wanting, material availability IMO.

 

You can offset any concern for expansion/ panel cracking/ splitting using THESE. No doubt similar available on Amazon. 

I’ve never seen them before, I think I just may give them a try. Thank you.

grain:  long direction.

 

for our kitchen cabinets, vertical.

 

for the footboard of our bed (4 panels side by side), horizontal, so the grain continues to the next panel.

Hmmm, let me see...

Something like this, maybe

Don't forget the Aromatic Red Cedar lining...

Never got to use it, but, is this purple heart wood I'm looking at.

9 hours ago, Al B said:

Never got to use it, but, is this purple heart wood I'm looking at.

No, it’s walnut.  I’ve used some Purple Heart in the past back when it was (ahem) cheap.  $8.95 BF. A childhood friend of more than 55 years passed away from Altzhiemers.  He was also my brother-in-law.  We both served multiple tours in Vietnam and we married sisters, ha ha ha.  So I wanted to honor him because he had an impact on my life.  Here is a photo of a Purple Heart flag case I made for his family.

@Pauley, a perfect case for your friend and family. I am sorry about his passing. Was the Purple Heart chosen for the obvious symbology of "Purple Heart"?

Beautiful flag case Pauley. 

 

Great flag case Paul for a noble purpose. Sorry for the loss; Wonderful story. Thankful for both his and your service. 

I vote for running the grain horizontally.  Symmetrically, it would look more balanced.  Beautiful flag case.  Those corners are a bear to fit correctly.

Beautiful flag case Pauley. And a wonderful tribute to your friend. 

I missed the part where the purpose of this topic is a blanket chest. I think whatever suits your fancy is good. 

Traditionally for cabinets the grain is vertical. Chests is up to your creativity.