Spent 2 hours fixing a drawer front that shifted during glue-up

Was working on a kitchen job in Tacoma last week and my face frame glue shifted while I wasn't looking. Had to chisel off the whole front and redo it, wasted a full sheet of cherry ply. Anyone else have a trick to keep drawer fronts from moving while the glue sets?

2 comments

2 Comments

daniel_rivera1d ago

Yeah I've been there. The trick that works for me is to run a couple brad nails at an angle through the back of the face frame into the drawer box before the glue sets. Just enough to hold it while you clamp. I use 18 gauge brads, 1 inch long, and set them about a half inch from the edge. When the glue dries you just pull them out or sink them deeper. Also helps to put a couple small dabs of hot glue at the corners to lock the position right when you set it. That stuff sets in seconds and gives you enough time to get clamps on.

harper_owens1d ago

Brad nails work fine, but just don't drive 'em too deep or you'll pop through the face.