Issue with my project

[Pbmaster11]

Okay so first of all I believe this topic goes in this section. Please move if I am wrong.

Second, I am building a Tansu designed piece of furniture for my dad. The "cabinets" have sliding doors instead of open and closing them. The plan required 2 dado's in the appropriate spot for the doors. I plan on using plywood veneer for this project but encounters a problem. Those dados would reveal the core. Any suggestions?

Attached is file of the project. Please keep in mind this is a bottom section of the project.

The green doors are the ones that slide. There is a 3/4"x 1/4" deep dado in the bottom and top to allow for the doors to slide. My question is how can I complete this project using veneer.

Please Help!

Upload.skp

[iSawitFirst]

I can think of a couple of options. First, you could use solid wood where the dados are. Second, you could install a metal or plastic track into the dado. Third, you could not cut dados and just use a track.

Hope this helps.

[PaulMarcel]

My first preference would be iSawitFirst's first idea: use hardwood in the track and put the dados in the hardwood. It would wear a lot better, too. Since the doors are near the edge, you could also just do a wider "banding" on the front edge of the ply with the dados in it; that also solves hiding the plys from the front.

[jHop]

what about going the opposite direction: attaching a track to the base, and putting a dado in the door?

[RenaissanceWW]

Totally agree with Paul-Marcel. Cut the carcass a little narrower and apply a thicker "face frame" of solid wood then cut the grooves for the doors into it. You could still veneer the final case but just apply veneer over the joint between ply and solid.

[AMarshall]

I really like AJ's idea of making a dado in the edge of the doors, then using a small track for the doors to slide on. Say a 1/4" by 1/4" strip of hardwood.

Alternately, how about skipping the dados completely and simply using applied moldings to act as stops? Three strips on the top and bottom and you have built up a recess in which the doors can slide.

[Pbmaster11]

When you say track, do you have a link?

[iSawitFirst]

Try Rockler.

[Richard Link]

You might want to check out the most recent episode of the Woodsmith show. They are doing a cabinet made of plywood with doors on tracks made of hardwood. Pretty easy to set up and might be applicable to your piece.

R

[Pbmaster11]

RoboDoc, where can i see those episodes?

[Richard Link]

RoboDoc, where can i see those episodes?

Alas, they aren't available online. Your local PBS station may be playing the program and they run repeats all the time.

R

[WoodClips]

Fine Woodworking has what looks like a pretty good article in issue #172 about Sliding Doors for Furniture. Online membership is required, but I find it is a good investment and I'm looking up articles there all the time.

Rory

[CraftyLady]

I agree with the postings above. It would be best to use a piece of hardwood as your track system. I thought about the edge banding but its hard to keep it secured with the door going back and forth. You can always use a bandsaw and cut a thin hardwood veneer strip to cover the edges. Just glue and pin nail. Hope this helps