The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING

CONSTRUCTIONAL METHODS Flush-top carcasses

Where the tops are an integral part of the carcasses and not planted on as separate members, some form of interlocking joint must be used. Figure 187:1 shows a secret mitre dovetail top, and 187:2 secret lap dovetail. Figure 187:3 shows the through dovetail and 187:4 finger or box lock joint.

Separate top carcasses

Methods of constructing orthodox carcasses with separate tops attached after assembly are shown in 188. Figure 188:1 shows the usual form of carcass dovetailing for a solid under top, 188:2 front and back bearer rail, 188:3 single dovetails screwed for extra strength, and 188:4 a solid top part dovetailed and part screwed. Where the carcass cheeks/sides are connected by rails only the intervening spaces must be filled with kickers shown by the dotted lines in 188:2A, which are pinned and glued to the carcass sides to prevent the drawer sides kicking

up between the rails as the drawer is withdrawn. Figure 188:5 shows the junction of a bearer rail with square post and grooved-in side or panelled frame, 188:6 a drawer rail stub tenoned in, and the drawer runner tongued to the front rail and housed into the sides. If the carcass sides are solid boards then the runners can be glued to the front rail but must be free to slide in the housing/dado as the shrinkage direction differs, therefore they must be fitted dry and secured at the back with a screw working in an open slot. Figure 188:7 is the normal stopped housing/dado joint for shelves which is usually sufficient if the joint is tight, but dovetail or taper dovetail housings can be used if the carcass sides have to be pulled in. Figure 188:8 shows the carcass base dovetailed as in the top (188:1).

Fastening tops, plinths, etc.

Secured tops of solid wood liable to shrink across the width are fixed by screwing to the front rail (189:1) and slot screwing at the back. The centres can be held down by wood buttons (189:3A), or alternatively the centre can be screwed and the front and rear slot screwed; however, excessive shrinkage might show at the front if the top overhangs the rail to a marginal extent only. Prefabricated wood tops can be screwed direct for the shrinkage is negligible. Loose plinths are pocket screwed as in 189:2, and (A) shows the angle to the fixing screws, or they can be secured with metal shrinkage plates (189:4). Table-tops can be attached with wood buttons free-sliding in grooves (189:3A), with the thickness of the buttons slightly less than the depth below the top and the groove, so that the top is pulled down tight as the buttons are screwed on. Metal shrinkage plates can also be used (189:4), and (A) shows the flat variety which are cut in flush on the rail top, and (B) the angled form screwed on. Two slots are usually provided to each plate, and the screws must be placed so that the top is free to slide across the width (189:4).