cases with frame and panel sides

[Michael MacDonald]

I like the look of panelled sides, but accommodating the cross grain bottom and top seems to require floating the bottom and top, as well as any fixed shelf. I have used frames to create strength, then I glue the bottom or top only to the front stretcher. I use a screw in an elongated hole to attach to the back stretcher.

Is there a better way? Does my way make sense? (By the way: all hardwood, so no option for plywood to avoid the movement.)

[Paul Murphy]

Michael, seems like your method takes wood movement into account, so I couldn't really say there is any better way only different ways. You could make a frame-and-panel bottom, you are nearly there anyway. I often use your slotted-screw method to attach tops, but David Marks seemed to use the figure-8 steel fasteners. You could use sliding dovetails to attach the top, or even common steel tabletop fasteners (or shopmade wooden fasteners).