Expansion gap?

[stuartpaul]

After many hours of work just getting ready to put the back on the grandfather clock . It's a 'hole' 285 x 1430 and I'm going to to it in T&G mahogany strips about 56 mm (ish) wide.

I'm wondering if they should be treated as individual strips or whether I can glue them together as a single panel and then fix that.

Clearly I'm worried about expansion problems and wonder which approach would give less problems? I'd prefer the single panel approach as any movement can take place at the edges rather than between strips. Also makes finishing easier.

A few panel pins to hold it in place, - no glue.

Any opinions/views please?

 

[Roger]

Treat them as a panel Stuart - you're going to get very little expansion over that width of wood and any that does take place is going to be taken up in the limited flex of the case sides. The clock isn't going to be (or shouldn't be) anywhere near direct heat or sunlight.

The back should always me removable on a longcase clock and it is much much easier with a panel.

 

[Amateurrestorer]

Stuart ,that seems a posh back for a long case clock,all the ones I have restored seem to be backed with 18th century ex pig sty doors,rough planed ,cracked and then fed to woodworms for 20 years and it can be the devils own trying to find timber to match. Your idea will work but I would be tempted to allow a bit for expansion eg leave a couple of boards to float without glue.Good luck and post a picture of the finished clock.By the way I am currently patching a backboard for a mid 18thc longcase clock ,hand carved in quarter sawn english oak and absolutely stunning ,the back is as rough as a bears bum and you would'nt use it for shuttering concrete. Cheers John

 

[Roger]

You're dead on there John - scrap wood at the best. Remember Stuart that no one will really ever see the back. It'll be tight up against a wall, or even fastened to it for safety, so there's no need to spend any length of time (or money) on making and finishing a back.

 

[woodbloke]

You're dead on there John - scrap wood at the best. Remember Stuart that no one will really ever see the back. It'll be tight up against a wall, or even fastened to it for safety, so there's no need to spend any length of time (or money) on making and finishing a back.

Roger - I suppose this one depends on your point of view. If I'd spent a load of time making a great grandfather clock and then stuck a bit of orange crate in the back 'cos I knew that I wouldn't see it ever again I'd be quite upset 'cos I know what the back is like and it would irritate me beyond belief...and if it were passed onto a customer and they had a look at the back I'd be mortally embarrassed ....no, for me, the back should be as good as the front because its a part of the whole piece and shouldn't in my view be judged separately - Rob

 

[Roger]

I don't think I'd go as far as (or mentioned)

a bit of orange crate

But putting an expensive and beautiful veneer or exotic wood on the back is a total waste of money and time. By all means finish it 'well' but that was the gist of the advice given I think.

 

[woodbloke]

Roger - I didn't quite read your reply to John's post in that light, probably only me I 'spose, no worries in any case - Rob

 

[Roger]

You're dead on there John - scrap wood at the best.

Actually you're right in picking that up Rob; reading that reply. That first comment was meant to be agreeing with John - not as advice to Stuart - I hope! :shock:

 

[Paul Chapman]

Roger - I suppose this one depends on your point of view. If I'd spent a load of time making a great grandfather clock and then stuck a bit of orange crate in the back 'cos I knew that I wouldn't see it ever again I'd be quite upset 'cos I know what the back is like and it would irritate me beyond belief...and if it were passed onto a customer and they had a look at the back I'd be mortally embarrassed ....no, for me, the back should be as good as the front because its a part of the whole piece and shouldn't in my view be judged separately

I know that with commercial stuff economics come into it and in many ways it doesn't really matter how the unseen parts of furniture are finished, but I'm with Rob on this. Whenever I buy a piece of furniture I always feel rather let down when I look at the back or underneath it and the manufacturer seems to have gone out of his way to make it as rough and unsightly as possible And then when you try to dust the back or underneath, bits of the duster get caught on all the rough and splintered parts.

That's what's nice about making stuff for yourself, where time and money are possibly not so much of an issue. It's very satisfying to know that you've done the job to the best of your ability.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[woodbloke]

Paul Chapman wrote:

try to dust the back or underneath

...I'll have to tell SWIMBO about that one.....just as I'm going out to the 'shop one wet and rainy night :lol: - Rob