I'm working on some storage benches inspired by WWII ammo crates for gardening. A friend of mine saw one I made for him and now others want them too. The first crate had too many screws, which I want to avoid. Traditionally, clinched nails were used, but I don't want those in the storage. For the bench I made, I used a lot of 18 gauge brad nails, and it's been holding up well for a year. My question is—are these brad nails sufficient for durability, or am I risking a quick breakdown? I need a fast project, and I'd rather skip expensive screws or complicated joinery. Any thoughts?
2 Answers
You might be alright with just brad nails, but it really depends on how you’re putting things together. Avoid nailing directly into the end grain because the nails can easily pull out. If you can, try to make sure the joints are face-to-face or edge-to-edge; that’ll help with stability!
Using just brad nails for outdoor projects can be risky because the wood tends to swell and shrink with the weather, which might make things come apart over time. If you're going that route, try angling the nails slightly to better hold the pieces together. I’d also recommend a waterproof glue like Titebond III to give it more strength—especially for outdoor use!
For the one I made, I didn't use any glue, just the brads, and I angled them all different ways. The wood's pretty rough, so I wonder if Titebond would even adhere well. I might just use some construction adhesive for a better bond.
Thanks for the tip! Most of my joints are face-to-face or edge-to-edge, so I think that will help.