[Woodcarver] relief panel carving

[Watson Family]

I am coming to this subject late but I have been sleeping while you have 
been talking. :))

Though most of the questions have been answered as a joiner with a life 
time of experience  I hope I can add something.
When the hardwood / softwood comparision is done you should be looking at 
the botanical discription not the density.
Hardwoods because of their cell structure expand more than softwoods. My 
understanding is that baswood is a hardwood. If it was mounted on a solid 
hardwood door no matter what the species, there would not be much variation 
in the expansion rate provided the grain direction is the same in the panel 
and the door. Incidently it is the moisture content not the temperature 
which causes expansion.

As for fixing method the floating frame as Joe discribed is by far the 
best, next would be the slotted screw holes with the centre one across the 
grain as a fixed one to keep the panel positioned.

Peter


Woodcarvings and Wildlife Sculptures
http://www.watsonwoodcarver.com