Mitered return: Glue or Dovetail key or?

[Paul F Franklin]

On my mantel project I am planning to do mitered returns on the top (and a lower shelf) to hide the end grain. Drawing below. Given the top is under a foot wide, Can I just glue on the return using a domino or two? Or do I need to just glue the miter end and then use a dovetail key or the like to hold the long part of the return so it can move independently of the rest of the top. Wood is cherry.

419104

[Jamie Buxton]

The safe approach would be to glue it for the front few inches, and use some sliding joint at the rear. Instead of sliding dovetail, I’d use construction like a breadboard end: longish tenon with crosspins. The pins go through oval holes in the tenons.

[Adam Herman]

glue the front corner and stick a 6 penny finish nail in the back. nail set and a dab of putty. simple and effective. it will allow plenty of movement over 10 inches.

[Ed Edwards]

+1 for Adam's recommendation, simple and very effective.

Ed