I want to create a box. I am using a lap joint for the top and bottom frame.
For the vertical sides I need help. The pictures show the two ideas I had.
But there must be a better way to attach the vertical pieces instead of being inside or outside like I have drawn them. Ideally I would like the corner of the vertical support to flush with the corner of the horizontal frame corner. I could toe-nail thr vertical into the frames, but that seems very weak to me
Requirments:
1) strong – I don't want the structure to "fold" if it is leaned on
2) flush to the long and short sides because I want MDF on one side and doors on the long face to create storage.
2a) for doors I will need more vertical members to create a door opening. Basically I'm creating a built-in entertainment centre as the end result
Best Answer
Isherwood's answer is great, however, I'd question why you are using lap joints at all if that's the type of vertical you are thinking about.
It's far less work to not bother with the lap joints and just tie the sides directly into vertical posts like this:
However if you insist on using lap joints I'd say you want every face to have to be made of it's own lap jointed rectangles, them just link the rectangles together so it looks a bit like this (imagine the top part of the frame with less overhang):