Page 30 - Australian Wood Review №103 2019

PROJECT

4

Joinery options

The sides of the cabinet frame can be joined with
housings (photo 2) or sliding dovetail joints (photo 3).
No right or wrong here, it’s purely down to what you can
do in your home workshop. You could quite simply just
butt the whole thing together if you wish.

For the housing joint I measured and marked out with a
mechanical pencil and combination square and then used
a 1/2 inch plunge router with a fence to create a 5mm deep

housing (photo 4). I had to do some back routing in this
process and suggest doing several test cuts on scrap first.
1
Once both housing joints are made, square up with a
mallet and sharp chisel, test the fit and make adjustments

accordingly.

To show you the sliding dovetail option shown in photo 3,
1. For only $4, a I used a router table with a fence and dovetail bit (photo
picture frame kit
will provide A3 5). You’re aiming for a friction fit here, so once again a few
cut-to-size glass test runs will make sure you have the right setup.
for the door.

2. Housing joints 2 Test fit
can be used
for the carcase The next step is to do a dry fit, that is assemble the
frame… carcase without glue (photo 6). At this stage it’s good

3. …as can sliding to also trial the best placement of clamps and check for
dovetail or even square so you can plan any adjustments before the actual
butt joinery.
glue-up (photos 7, 8).
4. Using the router
with a fence to
create housing Profile the top and bottom edges
joinery.
Once satisfied with how the frame comes together, take
5. Sliding dovetails the whole thing apart again so you can profile the top and
can be cut on 3
the router table. bottom edges of the cabinet.

30 Australian Wood Review