Screws or not?

[MARSIMI]

Gents -

I have always dado/rabbited, glued clamped and lightly stapled case work. I am just getting started with Mosaic to try on a built in for myself. I have most of the drawing done and was wondering about the config for screwing the cabinets together.

Does screwing them eliminate the need to clamp until the glue dries? Does it matter what screws are used?

I am assuming that Mosaic will pre-drill the sides for the screws but do you need to also pre-drill the ends of the panels?

Thanks in advance!!

[Kyle Stapleton]

Does screwing them eliminate the need to clamp until the glue dries?
In most cases yes, but be sure you are using "ok" plywood.
If your vacuum table can hold in screws will work fine for assembling the cabs.

Does it matter what screws are used?
I always use high-quality self-tapping screws and I still get a few split outs in my 3" top and back spacers

I am assuming that Mosaic will pre-drill the sides for the screws but do you need to also pre-drill the ends of the panels?
Maybe, it depends on the sheet goods and the screws you use.


When I started making cabs on a cnc I glued, stapled and screwed. The staples are just there to make sure nothing slides when putting in the screws and the screws are there so I do not need clamps.

Now where ever possible I cut pockets that all parts fit into and just screw it together. No more sliding part and checking for flush.

[MARSIMI]

Thanks Kyle

What are the most popular screws? anything more used than something else or does everyone really have their own favorite?

[Kyle Stapleton]

https://hdlusa.com/catalog.cfm?Group...ad%2C%20Square

[Jim Becker]

I use butt joints and screws for most of the cabinets I build. (not a big part of what I do) My cabinetmaker neighbor does the same and he does very high end work. My tack trunks are put together similarly but because they are 12mm material, the screws are longer trim-head screws into pre-drilled and countersunk holes. Glue is what does most of the work.

Relative to clamping, I use clamps to keep things square, but they do not generally stay engaged once the whole box is joined together unless I find something amiss that needs "encouragement".

[The real JP]

I use butt joints and confirmats 7mmx50mm.

I use a 5mm in the cnc to drill the pilot holes for the confirmat bit.

I run the confirmat drill bit by hand in a cordless drill. You could also use a horizontal bore machine, but I don't have one.

I don't use glue with the confirmats.
You could build a test cab and see what you think.

I built a tall 2 door shop cab years back with butt joints and confirmats and no glue, I use it almost everyday and it's fine. It's 3/4 melamine.

[MARSIMI]

Thanks Gents - I will give this a try and have mosaid predrill the panels, i can do the ends by hand once i put it together

[Milzie]

We are a custom cabinet shop....its all we do. Butt joints with melamine or plywood. CNC drills pilots in face, then brad to hold at assembly, then #6 x 1.75" screws. No predrill into edge, no glue, no issues.