PLANNING THE JOB
Once you have decided that you want to panel in your bath and what type of finish you want on the panel, you have to start planning the job in a little more detail. It is simplest to fit a panel flush with the side of the bath, but if you have space and have some experience of the woodwork, it is attractive to build a shelf at the same time as the panelling, so that the panel is about 15cm out from the side of the bath.
You need to measure up the bath so you can sketch out the framework and work out how much timber you’ll need for it, what sized cladding panels will be required, and how you will make the various fixings.
HALVING JOINTS
To make up the framework supporting the bath panel described in this chapter you have to make a fairly simple joint, called a halving joint. lt is used when you want to make an L – shaped joint between two pieces of timber.
1)Measure and mark the joint – In this example, the rebate to be cut is 25mm x 25mm, set into a 50mm square batten. Using a try square, mark round three sides of the batten, 25mm from the top. Mark across the top and down the sides, 25mm from the front.
2)Make the first cut – Set the batten upright in a workbench and use a tenon saw to saw down from the top, following the marked line, until you reach the line marked around the batten. It is very important that both the pencil marks and the saw cut are accurate, to get a good fit and a perfect right angle.
3)Make the second cut – Turn the batten on its side, so it protrudes from the end of the workbench and saw downwards, following the line marked across the batten, until you meet the previous cut and the waste block of wood comes out.
4)Screwing the joint together – Offer up the batten to be set onto the joint you have made, and check the fit. Chisel or saw away any surfaces which stand proud. Mark screw positions so they are staggered (to avoid splitting the wood). Remove the batten and drill clearance holes through the batten, plus countersunk holes for the heads of the screws. Offer up the batten again, and use a bradawl to mark the other half of the joints. Use a 27mm drill to make pilot holes a few millimetres into the cut half of the joint. Apply woodworking adhesive to all parts of the joint which meet. Position the batten and screw firmly in place.