Replies

1. 
   roc | May 07, 2012 09:36pm | #1

   There is no magic incantation only precise work

   I enjoyed your sense of humor there.  That helps.

   These tools will help you but you must study cabinet making from books and magazines to know how to use them.  It is kind of silly to retype all that text all over again here.

   THEN

   If after you study up and practice and get stuck

   we can help you with the finer points.  Or at least we can argue amongst our selves about the various points and that will at least entertain you while you discover for yourself were you went astray.

   FORGET THE GLUE AND SAW DUST.

   Once the joints are perfect, visually, then you can prime the end grain with some thin glue, let that soak in a bit then glue the end grain together to help keep the edges from taking on or loosing moisture and having the gap open here or there depending on the humidity change from the time you made the joint.  I find epoxy works best.  That is the strongest for end grain gluing.

   BUT

   It will not make gaps look right.  The joint has to be right on to start.  The wood needs to be acclimated to the space it will occupy first before cutting it.

   Here is an example; see photo.  This miter was refined to fit then the end grain primed with thin epoxy then glued up with more epoxy.  It has not opened up even though it probably would show some gap after all this time if I had not epoxied the end grain.  This photo was from when I first made the joint but it has not opened up at all after several years. One needs to plane all the epoxy off the face before finishing or it will act as a resist and the finish will not stick and the glue will show.

   Learn to cut joints accurately and to refine the joints to perfection.

   Tools you need :

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chisel

   http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=1

   http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/Setting%20Up%20and%20Using%20a%20Shooting%20Board4.html

   http://books.google.com/books?id=lSVMWpzqfNgC&pg=PA143&lpg=PA143&dq=donkey+miter+plane&source=bl&ots=n3reX_49f-&sig=Gzi7NRdsKGDAuqON3FHdcfwqX7s&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aXKoT9-hAurjiAK3jpnGAg&ved=0CFcQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=donkey%20miter%20plane&f=false

   
2. 
   Westchester | May 08, 2012 12:16pm | #2

   Small Gap

   You can try sanding dust ( not saw dust)  from the same wood as the face frames - mix with a little shellac and make a filler -

   SA

3. 
   hammer1 | May 08, 2012 01:11pm | #3

   I'd go with divine intervention.

4. 
   Rob_Sp | May 09, 2012 07:55am | #4

   Try Shellac sticks

   You can get them from Mohawk. You will need a burn in knife and alcohol lamp to heat it or you can get an electric or butane knife. The sticks are easy to use and available in many colors.

   http://www.mohawk-finishing.com/catalog_browse.asp?ictNbr=109

   http://www.mohawk-finishing.com/catalog_browse.asp?ictNbr=55

5. 
   bones | May 09, 2012 09:05am | #5

   try gel cryocycolate

   If its very small shoot some jel cryocycolate (superglue) into the crack let it set and sand it will blend and unless the gap is large you won't notice it.  Done it many times.  I'd try a test first.  cut a couple test pieces glue them up with a gap and put it in and try it complete with finish.  Don't sweat it.  you will probably be the only one that even notices it.