This may be a stupid question, but this stupid person doesn't know the answer.
When making panel doors, do you glue the panels in the slots or not glue them? I thought I recalled reading/hearing about not gluing them to allow expansion/contraction movement, but I have also seen videos of people gluing them.
Thank you
You do not glue them if they are real wood. You can put a dot of glue in the middle of the top and bottom rails. so that the expansion is toward the edges.
If it's ply you can get away with more gluing.
Plus glued in plywood panels become structural elements so you don't need quite as strong construction. With a 1/4" wide glue surface all the way around each panel, even stub tenons are enough.
I like to glue them at one spot - bottom center - to keep them from shifting if I can't use a compressible spline all around to allow them to move, bur self center.
On Tue, 24 Dec 2013 12:41:53 -0500, Meanie
Another thing that is popular among many is the use of panel barrels. Nothing glued in place, but they keep panels centred.
The panel is going nowhere. It need no glue. Especially no glue if the panel is solid wood.
Agreed! Also don't see the need for Bucky balls or barrels when common ordinary weather stripping or screening spline works just as well...
I'm using 1/4" birch plywood for my panels. They are small closet bi-fold doors. I made them snug enough to eliminate the need for glue. Thus far, I'm happy with the results.
Thanks for the info.
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