I am planning a project. It's a kitchen hutch for my wife for Xmas. I doubt I will have it done in time, but that is OK with the boss. This is to replace a metal bakers rack that holds our pots and pans. The LOML wants it painted, at first I refused, but then we looked at most kitchen hutches commercially available and found that they were all painted. So I agreed to paint, but will leave the doors and bottom cabinet top natural finish Red Oak to match with our kitchen cabinets.
Here's a scan of my concept sketch:
I have several questions for the collective wisdom of NCww'er.
First, with the natural wood doors and top, should I consider making the top crown natural or painted?
Second, will a 45" span be too much for edge reinforced 3/4" ply shelves (adjustable)?
Third, would 1/4" ply for the panels of the flat-panel inset doors ~20" x 30" be too flimsy or "not solid" sounding when closed?
Fourth, I would like to use beaded ply for the back panel of the top shelving unit. Is it available in anything other than 1/4" and should I use something thicker to resist racking (the shelves will be adjustable).
Fifth, I am planning on using biscuits for the carcass construction, and pocket screws for the face frame (reason to by a Kreg jig :eusa_danc ) and groove and stub-tenon for the doors (with glued in ply panels), am I under engineering or will those methods be strong enough for this application?
Thanks in advance for all the advice and guidance, I am sure that I will have more questions as I go along :roll:
I will try to take some progress pics for your viewing pleasure (comedic relief) :lol: :lol:
Dave![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Here's a scan of my concept sketch:
![Hutch_scan.jpg](http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/181/medium/Hutch_scan.jpg)
I have several questions for the collective wisdom of NCww'er.
First, with the natural wood doors and top, should I consider making the top crown natural or painted?
Second, will a 45" span be too much for edge reinforced 3/4" ply shelves (adjustable)?
Third, would 1/4" ply for the panels of the flat-panel inset doors ~20" x 30" be too flimsy or "not solid" sounding when closed?
Fourth, I would like to use beaded ply for the back panel of the top shelving unit. Is it available in anything other than 1/4" and should I use something thicker to resist racking (the shelves will be adjustable).
Fifth, I am planning on using biscuits for the carcass construction, and pocket screws for the face frame (reason to by a Kreg jig :eusa_danc ) and groove and stub-tenon for the doors (with glued in ply panels), am I under engineering or will those methods be strong enough for this application?
Thanks in advance for all the advice and guidance, I am sure that I will have more questions as I go along :roll:
I will try to take some progress pics for your viewing pleasure (comedic relief) :lol: :lol:
Dave