Cabinet Door Rail and Stile Joint Is A Little Loose

Are you using a rail and stile router bit set?
Some are fixed and should fit every time. Others are adjustable and can be off a little if the shims in both bits aren’t set up identically.

-- Paul M ..............the early bird may get the worm but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese! http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/

Shipwright asks a good question. Also, you should also figure out why just one (assuming this) is loose and the others are OK. However, the shim idea is probably a good solution. This is usually very effective if you are using mortise and tenon joints, but will probably also work for cope and stick. You might instead use epoxy for just that one joint.

If it’s only one joint, I would consider making a couple new pieces. Sounds like one piece moved during machining

When I put the rail and stile together there is just the slightest amount of friction.

- JIMMIEM

If there’s a slight amount of friction then there should be no problem with the glue holding.

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

I’m using the Infinity 2 bit set. I did the rail copes first. I reran a stile as it seemed a tad too tight and wound up making it a tad too loose. It fits the rail but if I hold it upside down it falls out….a little friction but not a lot. I suppose I could make another stile but if a wee bit of help (shim or whatever) would make it work then I’ll use it. Also, I have a 23 gauge pinner that will aid it a bit.
I’m thinking spread a thin layer of glue on both parts, sprinkle on some sanding dust, clamp it.

I would think that the glue would hold the joint just fine. The little amount of wood dust would work if it’s that loose. Keep in mind that the wood will move.

I have built frame and panel doors and cabinet sides in the past, cutting the joints with a table saw and a dado set up. Occasionally there was a loose joint, but the glue held.

-- Eric, building the dream