Rob Luter
10-26-2008, 9:20 AM
Greetings to all -
Following my success at my first fingerjointed box (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=89332) I got pretty fired up to do something bigger. An old Gerstner tool box I found at an estate sale inspired me to try a three drawer tool box out of some Black Walnut harvested from my Dad's yard. All seemed to be going well until the glue up. The finger joints fit together very precisely with the heel of my hand when dry fit, but as soon as I put the glue on them and attempted assembly the wheels fell off. As soon as the fingers touched one another the glue seemed to set up. Even though this was "slow set" Titebond I literally had to beat the thing together using a combination of a leather coated mallet and bar clamps to draw the joints together. In the end I got it together, but it's not quite square and will likely need to be redone. Time will tell.
Even though it seemed the glue set up I don't think that really occured. From what I can tell either the glue swelled the wood or just made up a thick enough film that the fit tightened up. When I make my next fingerjointed box (probably the replacement for this one) I'll need to consider making the joints with a little more space between the fingers. I made a decent sled for fingerjointing and can make some adjustments, but I'm wondering if there's any rule of thumb for how tight the fit should be based on the size of the finger or the total length of the fingerjoint. I want a decent looking joint without huge glue lines. I'm sure I'll get there with trial and error (emphasis on the error part) but I'd sure welcome input from anyone who's already been down this road.
Thanks in advance for any pearls of wisdom.
- Rob
Following my success at my first fingerjointed box (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=89332) I got pretty fired up to do something bigger. An old Gerstner tool box I found at an estate sale inspired me to try a three drawer tool box out of some Black Walnut harvested from my Dad's yard. All seemed to be going well until the glue up. The finger joints fit together very precisely with the heel of my hand when dry fit, but as soon as I put the glue on them and attempted assembly the wheels fell off. As soon as the fingers touched one another the glue seemed to set up. Even though this was "slow set" Titebond I literally had to beat the thing together using a combination of a leather coated mallet and bar clamps to draw the joints together. In the end I got it together, but it's not quite square and will likely need to be redone. Time will tell.
Even though it seemed the glue set up I don't think that really occured. From what I can tell either the glue swelled the wood or just made up a thick enough film that the fit tightened up. When I make my next fingerjointed box (probably the replacement for this one) I'll need to consider making the joints with a little more space between the fingers. I made a decent sled for fingerjointing and can make some adjustments, but I'm wondering if there's any rule of thumb for how tight the fit should be based on the size of the finger or the total length of the fingerjoint. I want a decent looking joint without huge glue lines. I'm sure I'll get there with trial and error (emphasis on the error part) but I'd sure welcome input from anyone who's already been down this road.
Thanks in advance for any pearls of wisdom.
- Rob