Simple materials can sometimes stand in for specialized woodworking accessories. In these two reader-submitted tips, window screen spline provides an alternative for positioning a floating cabinet door panel, while the printed grid on a cutting mat becomes a handy assembly reference.
1. Use Screen Spline as Cabinet Door Panel Spacers
Frame-and-panel cabinet doors need room for the center panel to expand and contract with changes in humidity. Small rubber spacers commonly called "Space Balls" can be placed in the grooves of the rails and stiles to help center and cushion the floating panel.
While building cabinet doors, Doug Chasse of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, ran out of these spacers and found an inexpensive substitute: ⅛" window screen spline.
The flexible spline fits into the grooves surrounding the panel and can be cut into short sections or installed in longer strips.
This gives Doug an easy-to-find alternative when assembling frame-and-panel doors.
Woodsmith Tip: The panel still needs sufficient room for seasonal wood movement. Test the spline with your particular groove and panel before assembly to make sure it doesn't create excessive pressure or prevent the panel from moving.
Shop tip submitted by Doug Chasse, Kittanning, Pennsylvania.
2. Use a Cutting Mat to Check Glue-Ups for Square
Checking an assembly for square is an important part of any glue-up. Mike Aicklen of Mandeville, Louisiana, keeps a handy visual reference right on his workbench.
Mike uses a self-healing cutting mat with a printed layout grid on his bench. During an assembly, the grid provides convenient reference lines for quickly checking whether the parts are aligned and square.
The mat also includes 45° and 60° reference lines, which Mike uses for quick checks on mitered assemblies and other angled work.
Woodsmith Tip: Use the printed grid as a convenient reference rather than assuming it's a precision measuring instrument. For critical assemblies, confirm square with a reliable square or compare diagonal measurements before the glue sets.
Shop tip submitted by Mike Aicklen, Mandeville, Louisiana.
Simple Solutions for Cabinetmaking and Assembly
These two tips put readily available materials to work in the woodshop. Flexible screen spline can serve as a spacer around floating cabinet door panels, while a gridded cutting mat provides an easy visual reference during glue-ups.
Both are simple additions that can make cabinetmaking and project assembly a little easier.
