nail or staple 1/4" plywood ?

[ron hokenson]

I built a 32X60" cabinet that has a back of 3/4" plywood which I overlapped the top, bottom and sides. The sides have 3/8" dados that hold the drawer bottoms and show from the back.

I want to clean the back up and ordered 1/4" plywood to cover the entire back. I am not sure if I can get by with using 18 gauge brads or if a staple would do a better job. I will glue along the edges and in the middle the long way.

Will the brads work or do I need staples ?

Thanks in advance, ron

[Jamie Buxton]

Quarter-inch plywood is so thin that brads might pull right through it. That's why unglued 1/4" backs are generally stapled. However, if you're using glue, the brads or staples just hold the plywood until the glue cures, and it matters less which one you use.

[Todd Burch]

I prefer staples over brads every day of the week, glue or not, unless you are hand nailing with nails with real heads, and I prefer that over staples which tend to blow too deep anyway.

[Phil Phelps]

Once the glue dries???? Use brads.

[Phil Phelps]

I prefer staples over brads every day of the week, glue or not, unless you are hand nailing with nails with real heads, and I prefer that over staples which tend to blow too deep anyway.
Hey Todd. Not to hijack this thread, but I've been unhappy with the staples when I lay down eighth inch masonite on a crate. I cut a spacer and tape it underneath the gun so the crown doesn't sink in so far. Yeah, a bit anal.

[Neil Bosdet]

I prefer staples over brads every day of the week, glue or not, unless you are hand nailing with nails with real heads, and I prefer that over staples which tend to blow too deep anyway.

Same here.

[Todd Burch]

Yes, me too on the spacer, plus you can cut the air pressure down - trial and error.