Screws ALWAYS needed?

If you can keep the pieces from sliding out of position during glue up I would think glue alone would suffice.

-- Garyb6, “Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler” - Albert Einstein

Cut “keeper blocks” from scrap, clamp them to keep everything where you want it, and use glue only. I make lots of clocks and this is the way to go if it works for your design. Many times magazines will suggest these types of connections to ensure a successful completion and no complaints.

-- bbqKing, Lawrenceville

I am in agreement with the glue-only approach. The only thing to watch out for is cross-grain glueing, but for smaller projects that should ne minimal.

John

A lot of times I will glue a piece and then use a couple of screws for clamping. But then again my old Scottish Grandfather used to wear suspenders AND a belt.

-- Don, Pittsburgh

I think you should have added a couple of ring shank nails. too. ;)

Glue alone is good. if you need something just for alignment, a couple of tiny brads could be driven into the “bottom” piece and clipped off just proud. Then the other piece won’t side around once it is slick with glue.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

DaveR…I was just visualizing what you are describing there…that is a great idea! You get the benefit of having small nails for alignment but nothing shows. I need to remember that one!

(Sorry, Pashley, I can’t be of assistance on the original question…no experience there.)

-- If, in your life, you attain the means to help; you incur the responsibility to act.

Ditto.

I’ve seen this little tool somewhere, for just this type of thing. It’s basically a very small V-shaped gouge. You gouge the piece of wood a little, lift up a “flap” of wood, drive your brad, nail, pin, etc, sink it, and then put that wood flap back down, with a drop of glue, and there you are!

-- http://newmissionworkshop.com

Depending on the glue, I think the glue will do.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Patrick, my suggestion was to drive the brad only into the second piece. Then you cut it off so it sticks up an 1/8” or so. It is sort of like using dowels for registering the other piece but it it a lot quicker to do. If you use a side cutter, it leaves the cut end of the brad sharp enough that you can press the piece being glued into place and clamp it up.

That way there’s no need to pry up a sliver of wood or glue it back down. And unless the piece being glued down is veneer, you won’t sand into the brad when finishing up.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Ok, gotcha, yeah, that makes sense.

-- http://newmissionworkshop.com