1/2" solid panel doors

[Mark J Bachler]

Customer is insisting on solid wood panels in the quarter sawed red oak cabinet doors. He's also not enthused with having 1/4" of the panel sticking out on the inside of the door if I use 3/4" thick panels like I would normally do. Anybody ever used 1/2" thick solid wood panels in a shaker style door? Wood is at 6% moisture.

[Mark J Bachler]

I'd use space balls for movement.

[Mel Fulks]

Yeah,I've used 1/2 inch and see no problem. Makes the door lighter and you don't have to to anything to the panel back.

[Peter Quinn]

As long as they are willing to pay, I see no issue except Skinny panels of solid are a bit more prone to warping, I don't usually go below 5/8". When you are dealing with a customer that cares what the BACK of the panel looks like.....red flag.....you have a potential problem on your hands already in terms of client management. So make sure they are aware of the costs and risks, and make sure you don't get stuck with either based on a customers choice.

[Scott T Smith]

As I type this I am looking at a pie safe next to the desk made with 1/2" QSRO panels. No problems with wood movement in two years.

[Martin Wasner]

If I'm doing solid flat panel doors, which is rare, mine are 3/8". But, usually they are getting a bead in them which would pretty much stop any cupping or warping from happening.

[Lee Schierer]

1/2" panels are no more likely to warp than 3/4" IMO. Your frame should prevent them from warping and the 1/2" thickness will be less able to produce distortion in your doors. When you reduce the thickness of the panels be sure to remove equal amounts from each face to maintain moisture equilibrium.

[Michelle Rich]

1/2 " quartersawn material is just the ticket ..less prone to warpage at the git go..I have used it many many times, and have had excellent results. I have found customers have some odd ideas about wood..I usually try to understand WHY they want a certain thing and then tell them why that idea is incorrect or not useful, or is irrelevant in this situation. In this case the thickness the customer wants is just fine IMHO

[eugene thomas]

If 1/2 " panel in 3/4" door might be more worried about the 1/8" of wood on each side holding in panel.

[Jerry Olexa]

I'd feel better with thicker stock (3/4" e.g.)...Just my opinion.

[J.R. Rutter]

Assuming you mean a raised panel? I wouldn't worry about it. Try to remove equal amounts from each face as you thin the panels down and/or watch what happens to the panel when you plane a face off in terms of cupping and balance it as you remove stock.

[Mark J Bachler]

1/4" tongue on the 1/2" panel

[J.R. Rutter]

1/4" tongue on the 1/2" panel

I do this all the time.

[Frank Drew]

With well-seasoned stock and careful prep (Lee and J.R.'s suggestions) and I wouldn't worry about 1/2" panels. Quarter sawn is more stable but I usually (but not always) prefer nicely centered flat sawn in panels for appearance.

[Richard McComas]

flat panel? Raised panel?



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