Livingroom cabinet raised panel doors?

I'm making my first attempt at making a set of cabinets. The fronts and doors will be constructed of Cherry wood. The doors will be made of 5/4 stock. I would like to make the panels out of solid pieces of crotch or figured wood to add detail to the cabinets. My concern with this is that the solid panel will warp. Could you please give me your opinion if this is a wise choice for the type of wood and panel construction I have chosen? Thank
you for your time, I always enjoy reading your articles. 


Glendale, NY

-Jeff 

Our Expert

Cherry wood makes a beautiful set of kitchen cabinets; in fact, I constructed the kitchen cabinets in my home from cherry. I would not hesitate to use solid wood for the frame-and-panel doors, the cabinet face frame, and the drawers. Solid wood is beautiful and strong and the door panels will remain flat as long as the wood is dried to seven percent moisture content before construction starts.


I would resist the temptation to use thick material for the doors; 3/4" to 7/8" frame stock is enough for strong joints and resistance to warpage. In fact, the doors and drawers appear more refined if they appear thinner. This is easily accomplished with inset or lipped doors. I built lipped doors for my own kitchen cabinets. The doors are 7/8" thick. I cut a 5/8" rabbet around the door perimeter with the Amana Prestige Dado Set. When the door is closed, most of the thickness is inside of the cabinet. I shaped the "lip" on the outside of the door with the Amana 3/16" radius corner rounding bit #49502. I prefer a traditional raised panel profile and so I used the Amana #54117.


As for the crotchwood, I'm sure that you know that it is a favorite of mine. I suggest that you save it and use it on a special piece of furniture. Crotchwood is rare and expensive and if you ever decide to move the heirloom furniture can go to the next house.

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