Raised Panel Doors in THick Wood

[tim walker]

Iam building a project where the lower set of doors is 1 3/4" thick with glass inserts. The upper set of doors, which will be approx 14" tall and 24" wide, will be raised panels. The wood will be cherry. How do I make the raised panels for such thick wood?

[Jamie Buxton]

I'm not sure I understand your question. Maybe you're thinking the panels must be as thick as the frame? They don't have to be. Make panels whatever thickness you're used to, and sit them as deep (front/back) as you think looks good.

[Bill Arnold]

How do I make the raised panels for such thick wood?
If you want the panels to be the same thickness as the frame, use a back-cutter bit. Raise the front of the panel to be flush with the frame, then use the back-cutter to cut what is essentially a rabbet with a small, inside radius on the back of the panel. You can get raised panel bits with an integral back-cutter; I bought the back-cutter bit seperately so I can use it with all my bits.