Calculating expansion on a floating panel-clearance needed?

b should be at least 1/8 inch and a should be a little more than b. The dimension c is not very critical, somewhere around 1/4 inch should work.

For centering try spaceballs – http://www.woodworkingshop.com/product/ro10000/?inMed=GSTORE&gclid=CJaclbeoycUCFdgSgQodVXAA_Q#.VVjRx2B7XFs

An even cheaper way is to use short lengths of plastic soda straws in the slots.

Hope this helps. Send me a message if you would like more information.

-- Roger M, Aiken, SC

Thank you very much. I’m going to go with those dimensions and I’lll post pics of the progress in the next few days or so.

Make C the same width as the grooves in the rails., they should be snug. To keep the panel centered put a dab of glue on the top and bottom center of the panels during assembly. I concur w/ Roger’s advice for A & B.

-- Bondo Gaposis

Just to be clear. B) should be slightly less than the diameter of the centering object you are using. Prevents rattling but still leaves plenty of room for expansion.

C). What Bondo said.

A) should be the dimension of the centering object or a hair more.

-- Brad, Texas, https://www.youtube.com/user/tonkatoytruck/feed

I use 1/4 in space balls with 3/16 clearance rasied panel doors.