Fine Woodworking 2007 Building Furniture

Joinery options for frame-and-panel doors depend on the size and function of the door,

while panel choices are based more on aesthetics than on structure.

For a more sound connection, use

a mortise-and-tenon joint. A haunched

tenon increases the joint’s resistance

to twist.

Biscuit joint

Dowel joint

Cope and stiCk

Joinery layout

Panel groove

Cutting the panel grooves in line with

the mortises and tenons makes

layout and execution easier.

An profiled edge is said

to have a “stuck” molding.

The corresponding

contour is “coped.”

Note: On small cabinet doors, a stub tenon

(no mortise) suffices for joinery.

three ways to Join the frame

Mortise and tenon

panel-holding options

panel variations

Haunch fills

through-groove.

Integral groove Rabbet with applied molding

Applied bolection

molding

Plywood panel

Face-mounted panel

Face-mounted

panels are used

when frame

members are

too narrow for a

groove or rabbet.

Fielded and raised panel

A fielded panel

is one with

a defined

center section:

the field. For

cabinet work,

panels are

generally flat

on the inside

face.

Although the

term is often

used more

broadly, a

raised panel

is one in

which the

center, or

field, is defined

by a shoulder.

Entry-door

panels

often are

raised

on both

sides.

Flat panel Flush panel Proud front panel Fielded panel

Lighter cabinet doors, especially those

with glued-in plywood panels, may be

joined with biscuits or dowels.

j o i n e r y a n d pa n e l o p t i o n s

Haunch

Applied bolection

molding supplies

strength without

using much

space in the

rabbet.

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