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Talking with my neighbor made me question the whole 'no nails' rule.
He's a retired shipwright, not a cabinet guy. Saw me working on a small jewelry box and asked why I was spending hours on tiny dovetails. I said real cabinets don't use nails, it's about joinery. He laughed and said 'On a ship, if it holds, it holds. A hidden nail in the right spot is just smart.' That stuck with me. I've been so rigid, thinking any fastener is a cheat. But for a simple drawer bottom or a back panel no one sees? Maybe a few brads are fine. It saves time without hurting the piece. I'm not saying throw out the chisels, but maybe the old guard is too strict. Has anyone else found a place for nails in fine work without feeling guilty?
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