Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | May 26, 2008 02:48pm | #1

   You can make up or purchase some corner clamping blocks. These help keep things square. It's difficult to do more than one corner at a time with finger joints, you have to move real fast. White and yellow glue can make the lumber swell. Try using liquid hide glue. You can see a couple of corner blocks in this picture, Rockler sells some plastic ones. They are a big help.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

   
1. 
   ctsjr | May 29, 2008 03:24am | #3

   Thanks. I thought there were corner blocks, but had forgotten about them. Trying to get the glue spread on all the surfaces and then put together is a challenge, and I want the remainder of the joints to be square. I'll swing by Rockler Friday. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

2. 
   douglas2cats | May 26, 2008 02:50pm | #2

   This isn't something I'd like to try one side at a time as I think it's harder to keep it square. If you go that route with the rest I'd put the other sides in dry as you go, then pull them back off and do the next one. If you lay the opposing sides together and clamp them, you can get glue spread on the fingers 2 at a time before glue starts setting up. It also helps to make some clamping caul strips with shallow dados notched out to slip over the protruding fingers, otherwise it's hard to get clamp pressure right at the corners.

   If you build it he will come.

   
   

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   Edited 5/26/2008 7:52 am ET by douglas2cats

1. 
   ctsjr | May 29, 2008 03:28am | #4

   Thanks. I think this is similar to what Christian Becksvoort does when he glues up dovetail cases--he partially assembles the case--just gets the dovetails started and then applies the glue. I will also go easier on the glue this time. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"