Hello. I've gotten some great advice in this group related to my
current project of refacing my kitchen cabinets. I've started
preparing for the job and and I'm at a little impass. I can't make
raised panel inserts for the doors (my router isn't up to the task and
I don't have the bits or the time to glue all the boards). I'm
planning on using oak plywood for the inserts but I'm a little
confused.

I've got some sample pieces of 1/4" oak plywood, finished on one side
but it measures 3/16", not 1/4". If I router out a 1/4" slot in the
rails and stiles, won't that be too much looseness for the panel?

Also, the 1/4" plywood seems awful flimsy. Do you think it's thick
enough for the middle insert?

Are there any other ideas? Is there a little bit thicker panel than
1/4" or do I have to go all the way to 1/2"?

Another question...Would it be a better idea to use 1/2" oak plywood
(Is there such a thing as 3/8") and rabbet out the back of the rails
and stiles instead of cutting a groove? I suspect that I would simply
glue the panel into the back of the door but I doubt the finished look
would be as good as sliding it into a groove, right?

These sound like dumb questions but I'd rather get it figured out now
instead of finding out a week after the project is completed.

Thanks in advance!