"Swingman" wrote in message news:...
There was an article (have a copy, thanks) many years ago in FWW, by the
subject name, whereby the author, a teacher at a respected woodworking
school in Boston, taught/proposed a four part, casework construction
method
that was a bit unusual for traditional sideboard construction - basically
a
dovetailed box, turned on its side, with legs attached (although, sans
legs,
not unusual in many *cabinet* casework methods).

Having sought out, seen, and paid particular attention to the construction
used in many old and antique sideboards these past few years, and having
consistently noted problems that seem to be commonly shared among even the
best made of the bunch(cracks/racking/sagging, etc.), there are many
things
I like about the author's ideas: wood's dimensional instability is pretty
well nullified as an issue, many fewer joints needed, pretty much sag
proof,
etc

The first part of this experiment with an alternate method of designing and
building a sideboard, the casework, is basically complete:

http://www.e-woodshop.net/Projects13.htm

Although quite fussy to effect, I am impressed with the "method" thus far,
as this dovetailed case, with the partitions being housed as well as joined
with through tenons, and the laminated end panels, makes for unbelievably
strong basic framework.

Another advantage, which has become more apparent as the project progresses,
is the relative low cost for a project of this size due to the amount of
secondary wood being utilized.

Here's hoping the surprises continue to be pleasant.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 2/20/07