Groove for cupboard door panel

[John15]

Hi,

Can someone tell me what is the ideal size the grooves should be in a cupboard door frame to take the centre floating panel. The door sizes are 460 x 350, the frames are 40 x 19 and the panel thickness is 14mm, all in American Cherry.

Many thanks,

John

 

[Myfordman]

19mm is quite thin for doors - usually the door making sets are based on 22mm- 7/8" stock and cut 6mm - 1/4" for the joints and panels.

I don't think I'd go any thicker than 6mm with 19mm stock.

hth
MM

 

[John15]

Thanks MM.

These are fairly small doors - 460 x 350mm. I imagined 19mm thick for the frames and 14mm for the panel would be OK. Am I wrong? It's my first attempt at making cupboard doors so any advise greatly appreciated.

John

 

[Myfordman]

I've made doors at 18-19mm before with 5mm veneered ply panels and they work fine but you need to be careful with euro hinge bits if you are using them as the cutter centre can break through.
If you are using plain butt hinges then no problem if you use 16mm-5/8" screws.
Make sure you seal the inside as well as the visible face to avoid moisture/twisting problems.
Cherry can have a bit of a wild grain but once you have tamed that, I like the results

MM

 

[Roughcut]

I've got a Freud cabinet door router cutter set.
It is suited to 3/4" or 19mm thick frame material and the groove is 1/4" to accept a 6mm panel.
If you want to use a panel thicker than 6mm I would suggest using thicker stock for the frame.

 

[John15]

Many thanks MM and Roughcut. I intend to use butt hinges and I'll keep the groove to 6mm as you suggest.

John