Time to fit box joints

[Bill Sutherland]

Got my box joints cut a couple of weeks ago and it all fit great. I had to leave it a couple of weeks and now the fit isn't as good. How long do you guys wait after you've cut your box or dovetail joints before final glue up?

[Lee Schierer]

I usually assemble them the same day they are cut.

[Cary Falk]

I usually cut and assemble the same day unless I cut a lot of them and then assemble the next day.

[Jim Becker]

Material like wood changes over time, even over short periods of time with temperature and humidity. And not every component, even from the same wood will behave identically. So like the others said, joinery like box joints and dovetails are best put together soon after they are cut.

[Steve Lansing]

I use epoxy on tight fitting box or dovetail joints, it makes assembly a lot easier.

[Cary Falk]

I use epoxy on tight fitting box or dovetail joints, it makes assembly a lot easier.

Not arguing with this but I am curious why epoxy is easier? Yellow Glue and a dead blow works for me.

[lowell holmes]

Response to Cary, different strokes for different folks.

[Bill Sutherland]

After some "persuasion" from 4 Bessey clamps I got a smidge closer but not to where I started. Even some dead blows couldn't get me there.

[Robert L Stewart]

Epoxy is like a lubricant.

[Bill Sutherland]

How fast does the epoxy set up and what brand are you using?

[Lee Schierer]

Not arguing with this but I am curious why epoxy is easier? Yellow Glue and a dead blow works for me.

Yellow Glue or any PVA glues contain water and they will cause the pins and tails to swell slightly as soon as it touches the wood. Epoxy doesn't do that and before it sets, it is slippery.

[Steve Lansing]

I use epoxy for the reasons others have already posted: no swelling and acts as a lubricant.

[Steve Lansing]

I use System Three T88

[Bill Sutherland]

How well does epoxy do if mixed with a bit of sawdust to hide any small gaps? Yellow glue doesn’t stain very well when used this way.

[Jim Becker]

Epoxy isn't going to take stain or dye at all once cured. You can color it while it's in liquid form, however, with appropriate dye.