subject: Building Furniture Method [print this page] When building furniture you can simplify the propcedure, without the loss of strength in the final product, dowel assembly can be avoided in favor of screws and glue. It is important to never use nails in the main assembly to hold basic sections of the furniture together.
Nails are, and should only be, used for fastening light drawers, attaching edge to trim and any other decorative features that have no bearing on strength. Only screws are used for main assembly as they pull and hold the pieces together with a firm tight grip.
Spread a thin layer of glur on both sections to be joined, in order to make a strong permanent joint, set them together and immediately tighten with screws. It is best to pre-drill screw holes into the top piece; the diameter of the hole being the same as the screw being used. That is the best method.
If the screws are not visible, i.e. on the back or underside, then countersink these holes. After setting these two pieces together, drop screws into all the holes and hammer them part way into the undrilled wood, unless it is hardwood, and then tighten in the usual manner.
In the case of there being a long row or ring of screws, do not tighten them in consecutive order as this will most likely lead to them getting out of line while assembling. Instead swap around a bit, first do one at the end then one at the other end and then one mid-way between, carry on doing it like this until they are all done. This will insure that the pieces are brought together evenly and inline.
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