Chest of Drawers Carcase Construction

[Randy Klein]

I'm doing some preliminary research into a future project - chest of drawers. I'm leaning to a Shaker style.

I've seen just as many DT carcases as I have frame and panel - all associated with Shaker style. Are there any pros and cons for either is it just an aesthetic choice?

[Randy Klein]

Now for shameless bump and an additional question to hopefully illicit a response:

Does anyone have a preference as to DT vs Frame and Panel?

[Jamie Buxton]

When you say dovetail carcass, are you meaning one which the side panels are solid panels, with the fiber direction running up-down? And when you say frame-and-panel, are you meaning one in which the side panel is frame and panel?

There's certainly an esthetic difference, and you're the only one who can judge which you like.

In terms of structural integrity, the dovetail carcass does have the issue of whether to reveal the dovetails. If you like exposed joinery, you can let the world look at them. If you don't like exposed joinery, you have to cover them. The traditional way is a nailed-on molding whose grain direction runs front-to-back on the cabinet. That, of course, is asking for trouble. When the lumber expands and contracts across the grain, the molding wants to fall off.

[Randy Klein]

When you say dovetail carcass, are you meaning one which the side panels are solid panels, with the fiber direction running up-down? And when you say frame-and-panel, are you meaning one in which the side panel is frame and panel?

Yes, exactly. I figured they were just aesthetic differences. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing any other difference.