Is there a better way to glue finger joints?

Not any faster, but if you use a slower setting glue (white glue, urea formaldehyde, etc…) you will have alot longer to clean up before the glue sets.

Regards, JM

-- Jarrod, Eagle Nest, NM http://anthologyfinefurniture.wordpress.com

It seems like I saw somewhere that if just the leading edges, that go into the other piece, is applied with a small bead of glue, instead of smearing all over the place on both pieces, the glue is spread as it goes together, is held together very well, and reduces squeez-out substancially.

I have not tried it… haven’t made any box joints since then… in my first box joints, the fit was so tight, I didn’t need glue… I just pounded them together. :)

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1389"

Steve – apply your finish on the inside pieces first and that should help with cleanup. As for applying – I don’t like using a brush on small fingers – so I use a squeeze bottle applicator (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16414&filter=glue) that helps control the amount of glue you use. If the fingers are a good fit, you don’t need that much glue.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

you could also use those small painting detail brushes that they have at crafts stores i have found that they work great for getting into small places and Woodcraft caries 1/4 acetone brushes while the ones that you buy in stores are mostly 3/8 – 1/2” and that would make a difference.

I usually do the tape too, just putting it on during dry fits and that doesn’t take much time. As far as speeding up the gluing I clamp the opposing sides together and spread the glue 2 at a time, then pop the clamps off and assemble. I usually use TB II Extend for these just for a bit extra open time though. I normally use those small 1/2” brushes with the metal tube handles (think they’re called acid brushes?). I also cut some gluing cauls with shallow dado’ed notches to fit over the fingers so I can get clamp pressure right at the corners.

-- Use the fence Luke

All of these are good ideas, Thanks for all your input! I usually make them pretty tight, and for some reason I still feel like I have to coat EVERYTHING with glue. I’m always learning!...

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

Steve, like Betsy I pre-finish the inside, and then wax as well, making sure nothing gets on the mating areas of the joint. Then I use Gorilla glue, which has a very long open time, and will fill any small fitting problems in the joinery, as well as take a stain/finish well. You moisten one side of the joint and put a modest amount of glue on the mating side. I usually use acid brushes from Harbor Freight (probably a simple enough tool you could trust from them, IMHO).

After the glue drys, it pops off the waxed inside easily, and since I usually make the pins a hair long, I just use a belt sander to grind everything flush on the outside.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.