Rip and Join. Yeah or Nay?

I suppose more experienced members would ask how the wood was cut (quarter sawn etc). Assuming it was flat sawn, and if I wanted to be sure, I would rip them and rejoin them. If I had 16 drawers I might skip this steps. “I usually prefer better safe than sorry”

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How thick? Big cabinet doors are raised panels to deal with movement. MDF or ply fronts with veneer can give a solid door look without the risk of movement. Otherwise, yeah, resaw and glue. Of course there is a risk of cracking with a resaw and glue if the wood moves too much.

Thanks for the input y’all. Yes it is flat sawn. These drawer fronts will be 3/4” thick and solid maple. Not paneled or veneered. I have 7 total. Two 16”, two 20”, two 30”, and one 34”. It’s the 30” and 34” that concern me. I wasn’t considering resawing. My band saw is not big enough to resaw 7+ inches. I guess if I do decide to rip and rejoin I should probably invest in a thin kerf so the grain will line back up as much as possible. Yes, no, maybe?

-- Well, I'll be screwed, glued, and tattooed!

Well if you orientate the grain so any expansion takes place along the 7” width then the length is largely irrelevant if the grain is straight enough. If you won’t do a veneer then resaw and glue then let it rest a week. Hopefully it will settle without too much cupping Good luck.

Pip,

According to Bob Lang, you worry too much. If the wood was properly dried you should have no problem. Sitting around waiting for a finish won’t have any effect, nor will having a finish help. Studies have shown that the only finish that retards moisture movement in wood after 6 weeks is house paint. Well dried wood should be stable for life. Wide boards were the signature of fine wood working back in the 17th and 18th centuries and they didn’t have too much problem.

Besides, the length will have minimal effect. Boards cup across the width and yours are only 7” wide. Nothing to worry about. As to twist or warp, they would have done that most likely coming off the saw or shortly after. If they haven’t, they won’t. Ripping and resawing wouldn’t effect warp or twist anyway, just cupping, which at 7” is not a real threat.

Steve

-- Steve in KY. 44 years so far with my lovely bride. Think I'll keep her.

I wouldn’t hesitate to use 7” widths unless you think they’d look better if you mated certain grain patterns….

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I, too, would not worry about 7” wide drawer fronts. If they were much wider I would likely rip and reglue….but 7” isn’t that wide.

-- I long for the days when Coke was a cola, and a joint was a bad place to be (Merle Haggard)

I agree about not ripping and re-gluing if they are not already cupped. If they are not already cupped, then they are not likely to cup unless you put them in an environment where the temperature and humidity are at an extreme difference. Also, once you get them milled to final dimension, do not lay them down flat or stack them flat. Air need to circulate on all sides of the board, and that will go a long way toward keeping things stable.

-- Danny, Located in Perry, GA, Forester, Wood-Mizer LT15 Sawmill

Thank you all. I feel more confident about moving forward without re-gluing. Hey Steve, what part of KY? I’m in West Daviess County/ North Mclean-ish.

-- Well, I'll be screwed, glued, and tattooed!

Pip,

I’m in Berea, Madison county. Exits 76, 77, or 83 from I-75. I was going to tell you to destress and watch UK whup on U of L this weekend. Daviess County isn’t that far away. Good to hear from you.

Steve

-- Steve in KY. 44 years so far with my lovely bride. Think I'll keep her.

If these are false drawer fronts and if you are screwing these drawer front’s on then just make the screw holes elongated to allow for wood movement. Wood still takes on moisture even if it has been dried properly.
Thus the term Hygroscopic http://www.swst.org/teach/teach2/properties2.pdf

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