Shaker Doors

[Turner52]

I have made a lot of raised panel doors and always allowed for wood movement. First time making shaker doors for my daughters kitchen cabinets. Panel is plywood. Should I allow for movement or cut to size and add glue. That is basically how I do drawers, so I wondered what the vast eperience here would do?

[MichaelMouse]

I have made a lot of raised panel doors and always allowed for wood movement. First time making shaker doors for my daughters kitchen to the space.   Panel is plywood. Should I allow for movement or cut to size and add glue. That is basically how I do drawers, so  I wondered what the vast eperience here would do?

What would it hurt to leave an eighth?  Five plies before I'd trust it not to blow things open.

[Rodneywt1180b]

You don't have to worry about the plywood panels moving much but the frames will to some extent.  I'd leave some room.

[Gary G™]

Roll up a rubber cement ball for each side—rattle free.

[jteneyck]

I have made a lot of raised panel doors and always allowed for wood movement. First time making shaker doors for my daughters kitchen cabinets. Panel is plywood. Should I allow for movement or cut to size and add glue. That is basically how I do drawers, so  I wondered what the vast eperience here would do?

I've done it both ways and never had a problem either way.  Glued in panels reduce the stress on the frame, substantially.  

John

[Stwood_]

I've done it both ways and never had a problem either way.  Glued in panels reduce the stress on the frame, substantially.  

John

+1

[Turner52]

Close to 50-50. Any other responses.

[WoodworkerTom]

I leave a 1/16 to 1/8" to ensure my cope and stick goes together tightly especially if your panel is slightly out of square.

[jamesglenn]

I leave a 1/16 to 1/8" to ensure my cope and stick goes together tightly especially if your panel is slightly out of square.

I do this as well so there is a small amount of adjustability when assembling the frame pieces.

[Cooler]

I make my shaker doors with 1/2" thick plywood for the panels.  I reduce the edges of the plywood with my dado blade, adjusting the thickness for a rattle-free panel.  

The advantages of the 1/2" plywood are:

1. I can adjust the edge thickness for a rattle-free fit in the grooves.
   
2. I can screw accessories to the inside of the door.
   
3. It feels and looks more solid and the quality is perceived as superior.
   
4. There is little cost difference between 1/4" and 1/2" per cabinet.
   
5. From the outside there is visually no difference.  The panel is flush on the inside except for the reduced area on the edges.
   

I use a full saddle joint for the rails and stiles so I never worry about strength.  If I am not painting the cabinets I will often cross pin the corners with a square dowel for aesthetics (not for strength).

Paint or stain the panel prior to assembly.  Movement of the rails and stiles will expose more of the panels and a tell-tale reveal will show up.