MOTM

A couple of other ideas from a long time woodworker.

Wood, especially solid wood, contracts and expands quite noticeably across
its
length with changes in humidity. Plywood does not, since it is made by
laying
cross-grained wood sheets down in layers. So while solid walnut would work
well on the ends of a cabinet, I'd be real careful about using it across the
length of the front or back. Across a four length you could see movement of
a quarter inch over a year. They do make hardwood veneered plywood, and you
might consider using that for backs, and possibly fronts, if you put solid
wood trim strips to hide the laminated edges.

I agree with Gary, exposed screws are not the best. Yes, you can use screws
and then hide them with plugs. But you can also use "knock-down" hardware,
like they use in "Euro" cabinets. There are lots of variations, any woodwork
catalog will have them. With care, you can make it look as though the
cabinet
is glued up when actually you can take it apart pretty easily.

I guess compared to the money you're investing in a top-drawer analog synth,
the prices of clamps isn't much, but a pair will set you back about $40
easily. If you're clamping along dimensions longer than about 2.5 feet,
you may want to go with pipe clamps, in which case the price goes up more
due to the threaded black pipe needed. And in the end, you're stuck with
these big, heavy, clunky clamps you will never need again. (There is a
simple solution there, though: send them to me. :-))

-BobC

-----Original Message-----
From: gareII@... [mailto:gareII@...]
Sent: Friday, December 06, 2002 7:04 AM
To: "J. Larry Hendry"; "MOTM List"
Subject: Re: [motm] More about Stooge walnut cabinets


...
One key is the joints,alignment needs to be almost fool proof
for the consumer to ensure a quality end product. Something like a dowel or
biscut,not necessarily for the strength,but the alignment.
Screws ? Ewwww..would hate to see that in a nice cabinet.
Clamps and glue are relatively inexpensive at most local home improvement
stores.
And,my condolences to you and Paul,air shipments ain't cheap since not only
are you paying by weight,but also by volume on
larger things. I've worked in the industry for ahh..too long.

Gary