Quote Originally Posted by Robert Engel View Post
With solid panel construction, the movement of the side panel does not conflict with the top or bottom as they are joined with dovetails (think of a giant drawer turned on end). It is a traditional construction method for dressers, for example.

Although I did also ask "why?" when to achieve the look, you could just apply thin strips to simulate the raised panel.
Yes, i've used half-blind dovetails that way -- scrolled through too quickly and missed the subsequent reference in his desire for a solid carcass.

If it's just the exterior look, i'd still consider using a frame with ply in a rabbit or the top and bottom as well as the sides and that would take out the movement issues. If it had to be solid, routing seems to be the way to go.