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Warning: I just read a stat about wood movement that blew my mind
I was reading an old woodworking book from the 70s I got at a garage sale in Akron. It said a solid oak panel 12 inches wide can shrink or swell by over a quarter inch across a single season. I've been building cabinets for eight years and never measured it that closely. Now I'm second-guessing every frame and panel I've ever made. How much extra gap do you guys actually leave for seasonal stuff?
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leerobinson5mo ago
Ever think about the humidity in the room where you build versus where it gets installed? My shop is bone dry in winter, but a kitchen by a sink is a whole different story. I've started leaving a gap based on the final spot, not my bench.
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theaward6mo ago
That's why I always use a nickel as a spacer!
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nancy3516mo ago
Wait, doesn't the nickel's thickness vary too much for a reliable spacer? I've had projects where the gap ended up uneven because nickels aren't all exactly the same. I find washers from the hardware store work way better. They're made to a standard size, so you get a perfect, consistent gap every time. For me, that precision is worth the extra trip to the aisle.
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