bgrella Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 I am in the design process of a bookcase. I'm using Paolini's as a guide, although I'm not sure how much it will resemble it when I'm done. For the back I'm going with tongue and groove. I'm never quite sure how much space to leave in-between the individual panels for expansion-contraction. I get a little over paranoid :^) The back will be 1/2 thick and about 3' wide. What woodworking laws do you follow here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlehikoinen Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 I did a small bookcase last summer using ship-lap style. Because it was in the dead of a humid summer, I laid them tight expecting that they would contract on the dry winter. If I did it in the winter, I probably would have laid a nickel or quarter between them (each one was 4" wide) before fastening. Oh, I used a pin nailer to fasten with one nail at the top / middle / bottom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Paolini Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 I did a small bookcase last summer using ship-lap style. Because it was in the dead of a humid summer, I laid them tight expecting that they would contract on the dry winter. If I did it in the winter, I probably would have laid a nickel or quarter between them (each one was 4" wide) before fastening. Oh, I used a pin nailer to fasten with one nail at the top / middle / bottom Brian, This is pretty much the same formula I use. In the winter, I build things loose. In the summer I build them tight. And if they're going to a differnt region of North America I'm not familiar with, then I play it real safe. Spacing of about 3/32 between slats should be enough room to allow for expansion/contraction. Hope this helps, Gregory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgrella Posted March 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Brian, This is pretty much the same formula I use. In the winter, I build things loose. In the summer I build them tight. And if they're going to a differnt region of North America I'm not familiar with, then I play it real safe. Spacing of about 3/32 between slats should be enough room to allow for expansion/contraction. Hope this helps, Gregory Thank you. I usually tend to over compensate when not really required. Taking the seasons into account is a good rule to follow. Cheers, Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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