Joining face frame to carcass

SFX | Posted in Joinery on January 7, 2007 01:51am

I would like some advise on joining face frames to the cabinet carcass. I’ve tried a few things such as buscuits, glue, glue and brads but i wonder what is the best method. Also how do you join the pieces of your frames, i’ve tried lap joints, dowels and just a little glue any other good options. i think mortise and tennon would work well but might be a little overkill in time and effort. i just bought a pocket rocket pocket hole jig from kregg but havn’t tried it out yet. any advice would be a great help.

Replies

Scrit | Jan 07, 2007 02:26am | #1
Biscuits to locate the top of the frame. Pocket holes down the sides and along the bottom does it for me

Scrit
colebearanimals | Jan 15, 2007 03:24am | #2
Glue and clamps

Paul
P3Driver | Jan 15, 2007 05:00am | #3
You can't beat pocket screws for this type of work. I've been using them for the last couple years and they are excellent.
Dave45 | Jan 15, 2007 04:16pm | #4
I've been using pocket screws for assembling face frames for about a year now and wouldn't do it any other way. I used to have to glue, clamp, and wait for the glue to dry and now I can screw them together and move directly to assembly.

Most of the time, I attach my faceframes with glue and lots of clamps - and an occasional, unobtrusive, brad. If they will be hidden, I'll use pocket screws.
ptu | Jan 15, 2007 07:25pm | #5
I glued and nailed my face frames, used a blind nailer so it doesn't show. I used that pocket drill jig with great sucess, you can make strong butt joints at end grain, as well as cross grain.
Pondfish | Jan 16, 2007 01:49am | #6
pocket screws, unless the holes would be visible. Then I nail (18ga 1 1/2") and glue the FF to the carcase. Usually I only have to do this for one finished side; the top and bottom are always pocket screwed and there is usually at least one non-finished side.

Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
dlb | Jan 16, 2007 05:01am | #7
Well, I take a little different approach from the previous posters. I have tried plate joinery, pocket hole joinery and butt joint, glue and clamps. I have found that the method which I like best is tongue and groove. I use a set of router bits from CMT - groove in the FF and tongue on the sides - add some glue and clamps and I am finished. I always end up w/ a flush edge at the joint between the FF and side. The reason I use this method is that I dislike seeing pocket holes (or at least knowing that the customer can find them), it eliminates alignment problems and I have large glue surface.

Good Luck!

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