A friend has asked me to build a Quilt Chest for her that will require Cherry wood glue up panels that will be 15″x68″ out of 4/4 stock. I’m alittle concerned about warpage on these long panels. My stock is well aclimated and will edge for good gluing but I’m still concerned about possible wood movement and warpage. Any suggestions or experience?
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Not trying to shoo you off..... but I think you might get better advice on this over at Knots.
Scott.
Thanks...will do next time...first time user
Depending on what your final thickness needs to be , I would run all of the stock to a thickness 1/16 over. I would alter the grain with each piece when glueing. If you are limited by width in your thickness planer, then glue up each half of the width seperately and run each section thru the planer to final thickness and then glue those together.
Assuming you mean a chest 15" deep X 68" long, I see no problem if you have good corners (like dovetails) and the wood is acclimated. As for the top, you might wanna consider a frame & panel or bracing cross-grain. If you do the latter, make sure you allow for wood movement by screwing the braces to the top with room for some movement (slotted holes) and don't glue them to the top.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
like Mike says, the box corners will keep that honest, breadboard the lid ends to keep then flat, and a 68" long top is too long, you might want to break it up so you can open one end at a time ...
As long as your wood is the proper moisture content you can probably do it the way you always do . . . BUT
There is a trend these days to use the outer (white) wood which IMO sucks. Use heartwood only, rip the wide boards and reglue them the same as they were befor you ripped them . . . take a bit of time placing your boards....and you'll create a beautiful piece.
If you are going to stain the wood might as well use poplar........lay the cherry in the sun for a while and it will age on its own to a really pretty color.
Built a cherry chest for my daughter about 10 years ago. I think it was close to the same size. I did hand cut dovetails for the main box and had a wide glue up for the top. So far it's been fine.
Here's a shot with my grandson. My daughter promises a few better shots showing the dovetail detail. I'll post for you when they come.