Hot take: An old timer told me my cope joints were too tight and I should leave a 1/16 gap

I been building cabinets for about 8 years now and always tried to get my cope joints as tight as possible. Last month a guy named Frank who's been doing this since the 70s watched me work on a kitchen in Columbus and said I was asking for trouble when the wood moves with humidity. He told me to leave a 1/16 inch gap on the back side of the cope and it actually made assembly way easier. Now I'm wondering if tight joints are really better or if we're all just showing off. Anyone else get feedback that went against what you thought was right?

2 comments

2 Comments

xena_taylor641mo ago

Used to chase tight joints like a perfectionist too but Frank is 100% right about humidity.

ross.jason1mo ago

That "perfectionist" part hit home. I was the same way for years. I'd redo a joint three times if it wasn't picture perfect even if it sealed fine. Then last summer I had this one job where the humidity was so bad the wood swelled overnight and I had to come back and re-cut everything. Learned real quick that wood moves whether you like it or not. Now I just aim for solid and let the climate do its thing.