Door and Drawer Clearances

[Hammer5573]

I built a federal style sideboard and finished it in late winter. As soon as the weather warmed up the recessed doors could not be opened even though the doors were constructed of multiple layers of bent plywood with veneered fronts and backs. The only wood is the 3/16" thick mahoganey trim surrounding each door. I guess that I got "greedy" with the door clearances. I would like to know what the minimum clearance should have been?

[Tpt life]

First things first. Take many measurements and verify there is no twist or racking in the frame. I do a fair amount of repair that includes coaxing a carcass back to square after warping to bind properly sized doors. 

[Eric.]

I usually shoot for 1/32" and end up at 1/16" - 3/32".  The smaller the gap the better...but only to the point that the doors and drawers function properly.

[mat60]

In the winter even with KD lumber I plan on 3/32 less than the door or draw opening and hope I don't get a call back.

[gee-dub]

I'm in SoCal and get away with 1/16".  When I make things that are going elsewhere I have to force myself to leave a little more wiggle room. I'm accustomed, visually, to the small clearance openings and have to remind myself of the requirements for the piece.  Fortunately, increasing a gap is easier than decreasing one