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Glueing up a cabinet- how do I keep square? / How to correctly use clamps?

6K views 15 replies 13 participants last post by  AlaskaGuy 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi all

I'm very much a beginner skill level, never really have much time to practise, having two small kids.

I'm trying to build a cabinet/wardrobe for my daughter's bedroom, and am trying to glue up the base cabinet carcass.

I set the bottom piece, two sides and back on the bench.
I dowelled the two sides into the bottom piece and clamped the two sides down into the base. I couldnt keep the two sides square, but then I glued and screwed the back in, while trying to keep each side square while screwing.

I clearly don't really know what I'm doing and would appreciate some beginner advice.

Thanks
 
#5 ·
Based on your description and lacking any photos, my guess is that the pieces you are putting together are not square. If you haven't got one already, get a good framing square and check all the corners to make sure they are 90 degrees. If you start with all the pieces square the glue-up is almost automatically square. A quick check can be made by measuring between diagonal corners. Both measurements of opposite diagonals should be the same if they are square.

If you find that the work pieces are not square, then you need to examine your tools and methods to determine where the errors are happening. Check back with some specifics and we will be glad to help.
 
#8 ·
I tried again today, although with a smaller box. This time I increased the number of dowels and just dry fit everything together.

The result is a while lot better now. It seems as though clamping put things out of square.

The dowels are such a tight fit that it looks like there's no need for glue.

Sorry, I don't have pictures, it would be a hell of a lot easier to show you each assembly.
 
#9 ·
.

The dowels are such a tight fit that it looks like there s no need for glue.

Sorr.

- Prizen
Uhh…use a little glue anyway, especially if this is for a child. Better safe than sorry.
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
Another great free clamp for gluing up square stuff (book cases, boxes, cabinets, etc…) from Izzy:

Brown Wood Rectangle Material property Font

Wood Artisan Hat Creative arts Engineering


Uses wedges instead of clamps, are self supporting and can be made from scrap you already have around the shop. Work great for corners as well as "T" joints (like for shelves - see video).

How to make wood Corner Clamps! by Izzy Swan

Cheers,
Brad
 

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#14 ·
Even the most basic jig, clamp or fixture is also made by someone for sale. Huge market for this, ask Rockler

For my money having something to hold that first piece still, while I bring the other around is most important. The old "crossed dados on a 5×5 or so piece of ply, MDF, some kind of 3/4" thick sheet good is quick and easy, but they can get

But for really great holding power, and on bigger pieces of plywood I really like these also from Fascap. The FastCap - Hands Free Upright Kiss Clamp System

This would be easy to make at home, but you would need to see one first to get the angles right. I can say they work like a charm.

Wood Cylinder Rectangle Hardwood Gas
 

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#15 ·
A reminder: You can make "L" brackets using plywood, like above or, like some of mine (I have different sizes) use the heavy, metal "L" brackets sold in hardware stores. Too, there are the Strong Tie type that have a ninety degree bend to make otherwise flimsy metal pretty strong.
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
What I have learned after clamping up hundreds of cabinet boxes over 40 + years is learn how to cut truly square parts. If your parts are square and you assemble on a flat surface you cabinet will be damn near perfect everytime. If you have to force a cabinet box very much into to square because of un-square parts you are going to put a twist in the box.

Sometimes depending on the cabinet I'll use home made clamping squares hole it square while the glue sets. Like this 3 sided box.
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Lots of good advice in this thread. There is more than one way to skin a cat.
 
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