Assembling the drawer and other cases
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
Derek got us to putting the drawer together in a recent post. I would like to finish up. The following applies to any structure where the joinery holds the assembly together, using a drawer as an example.
After tapping the drawer parts together, then what?
I go around the drawer with a clamp, pulling the joints tight. There can be glue or a sliver of wood that keeps the joints from closing using a thump of the hand or tap of the mallet. In all cases the joints must be made or adjusted so that pounding is not required. I may go around the drawer twice to get the joints snugged.
The camp is removed and I check for square by measuring diagonals. If the joints are accurately made the result will square. My diagonals on a case or drawer rarely differ by more than 1 mm.
If not square, pull the assembly square with a diagonal clamp. In the case of a drawer when it is about right slip it in the case, align whatever isn't and leave it to cure.
Important: don't leave cases and drawers clamped while the glue cures. A clamped case or drawer may be under tension. When the clamp comes off the structure will spring into a new configuration and that will not be good. Get it right by whatever means with the clamps off and you will be assured it will stay that way after curing.