9.5: Bottom, Risers, and Final Fitting
- Page ID
- 67209
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9.5 Bottom, Risers, and Final Fitting
As the tote progresses, more dimensions should come from the actual assembly rather than from the original drawing alone.
This is especially important for the bottom, risers, and handle.
The drawing communicates the design.
The partially built project provides the most accurate information for final fitting.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this section, you should be able to:
- Fit a floating bottom panel to the assembled box.
- Explain why the bottom is made slightly differently from the box walls.
- Fit risers to the actual dados.
- Use the assembled project to determine later dimensions.
- Dry-fit the major components before final assembly.
Make the Bottom Panel
The tote bottom is a solid-wood panel made by edge-gluing narrower boards.
Prepare the panel oversized at first.
Do not immediately cut it to final length and width.
After the glue has cured:
- Remove excess glue.
- Flatten the panel as required.
- Bring it to the desired thickness.
- Keep it oversized until the box opening can be measured.
A typical finished panel is approximately 1/2 inch thick.
Why Make a Panel?
Commercial hardwood may not be wide enough to produce the entire bottom from one board.
Edge gluing allows narrower boards to become one wider panel.
It also reinforces a fundamental furniture-making skill that will be used in many later projects.
Measure the Actual Box
Dry-assemble the box.
Make sure it is square.
Then measure the opening where the bottom will fit.
Measure in more than one location.
Do not assume the opening is perfectly identical at every point.
Use the actual assembly to determine the final bottom dimensions.
Fit the Panel Edges
The bottom is thicker than the groove that captures it.
Its edges therefore need to be reduced or profiled so they fit into the groove while leaving the center of the panel thicker.
Your instructor will demonstrate the router-table setup used for this operation.
Use offcuts or test pieces to establish the correct fit before machining the finished bottom.
Allow for Movement
The center panel must be able to expand and contract across its width.
Do not make the fit so tight that the panel is locked in place.
Do not glue the panel into the groove.
The bottom should remain free to move.
Fit the Risers
Fit each riser to its dado.
The goal is a controlled fit:
- not loose;
- not forced;
- seated completely; and
- aligned vertically.
If the dado has already been established, fit the riser to the actual dado rather than relying on a theoretical width.
Match the Risers
The two risers should work as a pair.
Check:
- height;
- width;
- thickness;
- shape;
- alignment; and
- handle location.
A small difference between them can become very visible once the handle connects the two.
Dry-Fit the Entire Tote
Before final sanding or glue-up, assemble:
- sides;
- ends;
- bottom;
- risers; and
- handle.
Check the whole project.
Look for:
- square corners;
- joints that seat completely;
- a bottom that fits without binding;
- risers that stand correctly;
- a handle that sits properly in both notches; and
- a tote that rests flat.
This is the final opportunity to correct many fitting problems before adhesive and screws make the relationships permanent.
Optional Tray
A removable tray may be added if time and the instructor permit.
Treat it as an optional extension, not something that should interfere with completing the main tote successfully.
Finish the primary project first.
A well-made completed tote is more valuable than an unfinished tote with several added features.
Check Yourself
- Why should the bottom panel initially be made oversized?
- Why is it useful to measure the actual assembled box before sizing the bottom?
- Why are test pieces useful when fitting the bottom to the groove?
- Why is the bottom not glued into place?
- Should a riser be fitted to a theoretical dimension or the actual dado when possible?
- What should be checked during the complete dry fit?
- Is the removable tray required?