I'm building a large frame (about 6' tall and 40" wide) to display artwork at an art festival, using 2x4 lumber with chicken wire in the center and two hinged panels. I want to groove the frame to avoid the chicken wire catching or scratching surfaces when the frame is laid down, like on the trunk of a car. I'm considering three methods to create this groove: 1) using a dado blade on a table saw for a shallow groove in the center of the boards, possibly gluing the wire inside; 2) running a groove at the back edge and stapling the wire there; or 3) routing the groove on the finished frame instead of the boards. I have mostly worked with hardwoods on small furniture, so I'm not sure how to handle the less-than-straight boards from Home Depot. What's the best approach?
1 Answer
When selecting the boards, take your time to find straight pieces. For the best outcome, you might want to rabbit the inside edge, roughly 1" wide and 3/8" deep. After finishing the frame, you can attach the wire and then use a lattice strip to cover the rabbit. It gives a cleaner look and keeps the wire secure.
How'd you make the rabbet? Table saw or router?