Elementary Cabinet Door Questions

Hi there:

Before I go out in the shop, I'd like to ask some questions. I'm not making any doors just yet, but I want to learn from you'all.

For rails and stiles does anyone ever do a mitered corner with, say, a half lap joint?

Does anyone ever do a through mortise and tenon?

For a flat panel door instead of cope and stick, is it possible to just do an inside rabbet and have the panel sit in that? and if so, how do you secure the panel on the back of the door? It seems to me the front would look the same, no?

thanks, and see ya later,

For rails and stiles does anyone ever do a mitered corner with, say, a half lap joint?

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Yep: http://www.woodsmith.com/issues/167/videos/mitered-half-lap-joints/

Does anyone ever do a through mortise and tenon?

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I do if the design calls for it. It is not my "goto joint" as they can be a bit fussy. I have also done it just for practice on shop stuff.

For a flat panel door instead of cope and stick, is it possible to just do an inside rabbet and have the panel sit in that? and if so, how do you secure the panel on the back of the door? It seems to me the front would look the same, no?

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I have done this with an MDF frame (bridal joints) and a rabbeted piece of 1/4" melamine. Its been years and no problems. With hardwoods you could retain the panel like a picture: http://www.leevalley.com/us/hardware/page.aspx?p=41859&cat=3,40914,50427&ap=1

However, flat panel doors are pretty simple once you get the hand of it. If I were you I would make 3 or 4 small "doors" using the full size joinery with the intent of tossing them on the woodpile. There's a sense of freedom in trying a new skill on something you know you won't be keeping.

Cynthia White said:

is it possible to just do an inside rabbet and have the panel sit in that? and if so, how do you secure the panel on the back of the door?

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Well, as this poor soul found out (not me), you don't glue the panel to the stiles:

Funny as I just had this discussion with a co worker as he wants to make kitchen doors. I have router sets from CMT that make it way too easy. here is the link to the site.

http://www.cmtutensili.com/viewdoc.asp?pars2=1~22~1~2~3

but they can be done on a table saw too if you are just wanting a basic door. I will be doing some MDF doors for my neighbor in the next while and i will take some pics to send to you.