Eric Porter
01-15-2004, 9:51 AM
Please excuse the simple nature of my question. I am significantly less experienced than the majority of members, but I’m here to learn. I am working to finish a hanging display case for my father, and I need some advice on the best method to attach the back.
The case is extremely simple, it’s 18” wide, 24” long, and 4” deep (not including the door), and it’s made of walnut. It was my first attempt at dovetails, and I was very pleased with the result. In my original design, I planned on cutting a groove on the table saw, the full length of each piece of the case. Then I was going to assemble it with the back riding in the groove to allow for wood movement. However, since I used dovetails to join the case, I didn’t want the groove to show at the corners. Therefore, I glued and assembled the case without the back. My thought was to route a rabbet on the inside of the case, and let the back rest on the edge of the rabbet. Is this the best method of attaching the back at this point? Also, how should I hold the back in? I really want this to look as nice as possible. Thanks in advance for all the help.
Eric
The case is extremely simple, it’s 18” wide, 24” long, and 4” deep (not including the door), and it’s made of walnut. It was my first attempt at dovetails, and I was very pleased with the result. In my original design, I planned on cutting a groove on the table saw, the full length of each piece of the case. Then I was going to assemble it with the back riding in the groove to allow for wood movement. However, since I used dovetails to join the case, I didn’t want the groove to show at the corners. Therefore, I glued and assembled the case without the back. My thought was to route a rabbet on the inside of the case, and let the back rest on the edge of the rabbet. Is this the best method of attaching the back at this point? Also, how should I hold the back in? I really want this to look as nice as possible. Thanks in advance for all the help.
Eric