Joining boards together

[Ed]

Hi Community,

I starting a patio cooler project and I'm wondering about one specific aspect of the project....

The actual cooler box will have vertical panels with dimensions 1x4x13.5 and I'm wondering where to position the pocket holes...should they all go in one direction ( like my 2nd photo) and tailor each side panel to the direction they need to go...

Or should all 3.5" board be screwed in 2 direction.. Sorry I'm not be very articulate but I'm hoping you can help...

At the end of the day I want a box with vertical pieces of 1x4 like pic 2 below and want the box to be sturdy and not have screws running into each other...

Thanks
ED

[Ken Darga]

Hi Ed,

With vertical panels of only 13.5” long, two pocket holes at the ends of each panel will suffice.

The screws in the vertical members to engage into the top and bottom horizontal members, (shown in photo #3).

 

The outermost vertical panels, (shown in photo #3), which butt to the corner vertical members, can be secured to the corner members with pocket hole joinery---one 2” from the top and bottom and one in the center. 

Anchoring the outermost vertical panels to the outside corner members will resist racking.

 

I don’t see a need for pocket holes/screws all along the edges of the intermediate panels, (like shown in photo #2).

 

Wood expands and contracts---orientation of the members and fastening methods are important, to minimize distortion and fracturing.

 

PS---If you want to enhance the appeal of the butted vertical panels, I’d chamfer each panel  ¼” x 45. 

This will also cover-up any misalignment of the panels.

 

“If it can’t be made perfect, make it adjustable.”

[Richard Merks]

I agree with ken to a point, 13" is a long way and if you read the instruction on Kreg it suggests a 6" to 8" gap between screws, just by sending the middle screw in the other direction will strengthen the bond in your panels, plus when joining wood to form a panel always alternate the end grain, if the first one is this way ( make the next one this way ) and so on.
Have fun

[Ed]

I'm sorry I kinda know what you mean with the end grain but I'm not sure how your ell which way the grain is going ????

[Richard Merks]

This is the end grain on a couple of 1x6 boards, if the top board was to the left you would want to fix the bottom board to the right as you see it, Alternating the grain reduces the chance of the boards bowing in the direction of grain, ie; the top board would bow up.

[Ed]

Thank you

[Richard Merks]

You're welcome