When gluing together mortise and tenon joinery, keeping glue squeeze-out to a minimum can be a challenge. Glue that works its way out of a joint and dries on the surface of a piece of fine wood furniture can interfere with finish adhesion. While some woodworkers simply rely on wiping away any squeeze-out with a damp sponge and a dry cloth, this technique can leave invisible residue that can cause adherence issues with the final finish later on. Curtis Whittington, of Texas, chooses to do away with squeeze-out altogether with a super-simple tip that’s often overlooked.

By chamfering the outer edges of all his mortises, Whittington provides a tiny space for excess glue to pool in. It only adds a few minutes to the building process, yet saves a boat load of time when it comes to final surface preparation.

For even more great tips on assembly and glue up, check out our roundup of over four dozen articles and videos that cover every aspect of the process. And don’t forget to tune in to past Fast Fix episodes.