? about Pop Woodworking bookcase


Recommended Posts

I'm not sure if this is the right section for this, but here goes. I read the article from the most recent issue of PW, on the bookcase build, and I believe Chris says that the back boards were nailed to the shelf. This interested me because I have a similar build coming up and was wondering about the back. Wouldn't nailing each board cause wood movement problems? The boards were ship lapped, so does that make the difference? Or I was wondering about tongue and grooving? Any info is appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shiplap joints (similar to, but simpler than tongue and groove) are designed to be loose joints. Both are (or were) used in floor boards in the UK and are always fixed (usually nails) in the centre of each board. There is a gap in the joint from one board to the other, about 1 to 2mm, to allow for expansion and contraction. Each board is free to expand or contract at its edges, while being held firmly at the centre.

The same principle is applied to the backs of furniture, and again nails can be used, cut nails being preferred because they hold much better. Since the gap s necessary and can't be hidden, it is usually emphasised - by beading or chamfering.

I struggled to find a good example, the best I could come up with is here (actually quite a nice piece of work), scroll down about 3/4 of the page and you'll see the shiplaps being nailed in position.

[Edited later] Here's a corner cabinet with a chamfered shiplapped back.

HTH

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I read about this on a Fine Woodworking book where they discuss the different type of backs.

a) shiplap

B) tongue and groove

c) but end boards linked together with a loose tenon

My preference today is the third one. I like Gianni's approach where you leave a reveal of 2mm between boards and express the joint.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Who's Online   0 Members, 0 Anonymous, 19 Guests (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • Forum Statistics

    31.2k
    Total Topics
    421.7k
    Total Posts
  • Member Statistics

    23,756
    Total Members
    3,644
    Most Online
    FaithMoody
    Newest Member
    FaithMoody
    Joined