Wood movement?

[Harley Lewis]

I am in the process of making a walnut blanket chest, the sides are 15x38, ends are 15x18. I joined the sides and ends using dove tails. I have made a walnut panel for the bottom which is 18x38, and my question is can I glue it for the chest bottom or should I just use mechanical fasteners because of wood movement.

Thanks, Harley

[Jim Becker]

The best method would be for the bottom panel to float in a groove just like a door panel...you can even use "space balls" to keep it from rattling or a single pin on each end up from the bottom centered on the panel.