Replies

1. 
   notDusty | Aug 17, 2004 05:23pm | #1

                     woodctr ,

           The joint you describe sounds weak , if it has a 1/4" tongue on the sides ultimately that could be a bit weak. I would just butt glue and clamp the face to the sides. The biscuits only help to align not to strengthen . I make my box a bit narrower then the face and use a flush trimmer or a belt sander to trim off any extra. I sounds like the joint will look the same either way you do it .

                       good luck               dusty

1. 
   woodctr | Aug 17, 2004 05:31pm | #2

   Thanks for your comment.  Actually it is a double wall 3 inches wide so I'll be making 2 grooves in the back of the face with two sides (interior and exterior rabbeted to fit).  I hope I am being clear.  Witht the biscuits, I would have two rows of biscuits to mate up to the two sides.  The case has a double wall to hide the knockdown hardware that is used for easy disasembly.  Thanks

2. 
   jackplane | Aug 17, 2004 05:34pm | #3

   If by "face" you mean face frame, then the joint you describe should work fine. I don't see where the error potential is if you use a tablesaw or router with a rabbett bit. But a biscuit joint would also be plenty strong and faster to make.

3. 
   JohnWW | Aug 17, 2004 05:46pm | #4

   I wouldn't use any elaborate alignment system, it's a needless complication.  Grooves or biscuits are time consuming and in this application both have potential fitting problems.  Keep it simple, just glue the face frame onto the carcass.  Glue alone will have all the strength needed to hold the face in place, even if you are very sparing with the glue to prevent squeeze out. 

   I'm presuming that the face frame will be a complete unit, although the following suggestion will also work with face trim fitted a piece at a time.

   To prevent the face assembly from shifting as you clamp it onto the case, drive four brads three quarters of their length into the front edge of the carcass.  Clip off the heads of the brads so just an 1/8 inch or so of each is left exposed.  When you apply the clamps, the exposed points of the clipped brads will dig into the back edge of the face and prevent the face from shifting until the glue dries. 

   Place the brads in a short distance from the four corners of the carcass and apply the first clamps directly over the points.  If the sides of the case are long, you can add an additional brad at each side's mid-point. 

   Using this method, you'll have the face glued on before you could get the biscuit joiner out of its case.

   John W.

   
   

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   Edited 8/17/2004 11:04 am ET by JohnW

1. 
   woodctr | Aug 17, 2004 06:12pm | #5

   Thanks John for your idea.  It is not a full face frame, but a face trim piece.  There are just two verticals, one on each side.  thanks again.