Warning: I just read a stat about wood movement that blew my mind

I was reading an old woodworking book from the 70s I got at a garage sale in Akron. It said a solid oak panel 12 inches wide can shrink or swell by over a quarter inch across a single season. I've been building cabinets for eight years and never measured it that closely. Now I'm second-guessing every frame and panel I've ever made. How much extra gap do you guys actually leave for seasonal stuff?

3 comments

3 Comments

leerobinson23d ago

Ever think about the humidity in the room where you build versus where it gets installed? My shop is bone dry in winter, but a kitchen by a sink is a whole different story. I've started leaving a gap based on the final spot, not my bench.

theaward29d ago

That's why I always use a nickel as a spacer!

nancy35129d ago

Wait, doesn't the nickel's thickness vary too much for a reliable spacer? I've had projects where the gap ended up uneven because nickels aren't all exactly the same. I find washers from the hardware store work way better. They're made to a standard size, so you get a perfect, consistent gap every time. For me, that precision is worth the extra trip to the aisle.