A_Vitale Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 So I am currently working on a side board and am debating on how I want to join the legs to the base of the case? The plan I am modeling from (slightly) calls for biscuits but really have never used them in an application like this. How strong are they?? I will post pics soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flairwoodworks Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 So I am currently working on a side board and am debating on how I want to join the legs to the base of the case? The plan I am modeling from (slightly) calls for biscuits but really have never used them in an application like this. How strong are they?? I will post pics soon! I don't think that biscuits add very much strength, if any, to the joint. I think their only use is to help align pieces so that their faces are flush. The glue provides the strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Trace Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 Chet, go to the chat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChetlovesMer Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 biscuits are one of the great inventions of all time. They greatly simplify life for all woodworkers. They make alignment super easy. But it's true that they are not designed to carry load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_Vitale Posted December 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 Yes that is my concern, I have always used a biscuit as a tool to help me keep something in place or align something. Check this plan out guys as it is what I am roughly modeling mine after. My link Notice the way they call for them between the legs and the center case portion.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flairwoodworks Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 Yes that is my concern, I have always used a biscuit as a tool to help me keep something in place or align something. Check this plan out guys as it is what I am roughly modeling mine after. My link Notice the way they call for them between the legs and the center case portion.... There is no way I would use biscuits and glue alone for the bottom shelf/leg assembly. Good catch - we gotta be vigilant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 Could we see a picture? I can think of a couple ways that a leg could be attached to a cabinet with biscuits where it would be strong enough - and about a hundred ways where it would be too weak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flairwoodworks Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 Could we see a picture? I can think of a couple ways that a leg could be attached to a cabinet with biscuits where it would be strong enough - and about a hundred ways where it would be too weak. http://books.google.com/books?id=Tc8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA118#v=onepage&q&f=false Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onboard Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 Yes that is my concern, I have always used a biscuit as a tool to help me keep something in place or align something. Check this plan out guys as it is what I am roughly modeling mine after. My link Notice the way they call for them between the legs and the center case portion.... I noticed they are specifying biscuits for the bottom cabinet board as well as the lower shelf. I think they are using biscuits as a way to join end grain of those boards to the face grain of the rails. You could probably get by with pocket screws since no one would see them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_Vitale Posted December 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 pocket screws were my next option, but I guess I was just being ''stuck up'" by not wanting to use any mechanical fasteners. But really I do not see another option...hmm maybe this would be a good excuse to pick up the Domino! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flairwoodworks Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 pocket screws were my next option, but I guess I was just being ''stuck up'" by not wanting to use any mechanical fasteners. But really I do not see another option...hmm maybe this would be a good excuse to pick up the Domino! lol I just got a Domino for myself. If you aren't ready to take the plunge, you might consider router-cut mortises or dowels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 The Domino would work. I'd probably fit the "shelves" into dadoes, or cut dadoes into both the rail and the shelf and use a spline cut from plywood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_Vitale Posted December 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 The shelves will be constructed using sling dovetails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodClips Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 Are you using solid wood for the bottom of the case, or plywood? If solid wood, you need to attach the bottom in a way that will allow it to expand and contract relative to the side rails or it will self-destruct over time. At a glance, it doesn't look like the plan accounts for this. Looking at the plan, I see that the bottom of the case is butted up against the rear rail and rests on top of the front rail. If I were building it, I would glue and screw a cleat to the rear rail and bottom to support it in the back. I would then glue and screw a cleat to the front rail and screw it to the bottom (no glue) using elongated screw holes. This will fix the bottom in the back and allow it to expand and contract freely in the front. You can add some cleats and elongated screw holes to the side rails for additional support and to keep it flat, but the attachment to the front and back rails is going to provide most of your strength. That lower stretcher also presents a problem. At eight inches, you need to be prepared for a little bit of expansion and contraction relative to the side rails it is attached to. Stopped dados are the cleanest method that come to mind, but you'll need to leave some room for expansion and attaching the stretcher in a way that is both secure and lets it expand and contract is a challenge. Cleats and elongated screw holes could be an option, but they may be visible in this design and wouldn't look the best. Rory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kesac Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 pocket screws were my next option, but I guess I was just being ''stuck up'" by not wanting to use any mechanical fasteners. But really I do not see another option...hmm maybe this would be a good excuse to pick up the Domino! lol Domino is good, but high dollar. Beadlock jig is structurally about the same for beaucoup cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jab73180 Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 looks like a good spot for a good ole fashioned mortise and tenon. wouldnt the domino poke out through the other side of the upright? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.