Chicago bar rail: glued to plywood?

[Andrew Wayland]

I apologize if this seems redundant; but rather than put my other thread off topic, I figured I'd open a new one (plus it's easier to google this way!)

I'm building a bar top with a 3/4 plywood sub-top and a 3/4 cherry top.

I'm adding a Chicago bar rail to the top, which will also be made of cherry.

I ordered red the rail online, and the website it came from states I should glue the rail to the sub top, and screw from underneath.

Im wondering, though; should I be skipping the glue here as well due to the concerns with expansion and contraction?

[Jerry Miner]

If the glue contact area is --as is typical-- fairly narrow (<4" +/-) then I think you are safe to glue. You will need to be careful with the main bar top plywood-to-solid connection, though. You can glue the front edge (up against the rail) -- and a few inches inboard-- but you'd better let it float beyond that. Screws through slotted holes in the ply would be (and has been) my method of choice.

[Wayne Lomman]

It's ok to glue to the sub top. As Jerry says, take care attaching the main top to the sub top. Cheers