Hey folks! I'm putting together a small box using rabbet joints and want to add some exposed dowels for extra support. My question is: can I glue the box together along the rabbets, let it set, and then drill holes for the dowels later? Or is it better to drill the holes first and then do all the gluing and clamping at once? I'm a bit worried that messing with the joint after it's glued might weaken it. Appreciate any advice!
3 Answers
Adding dowels after gluing can actually reinforce your joint! I usually don't worry too much about exact depths as some sanding will be involved. If you drill the holes first and use a slightly tighter fit on the dowels, it creates a draw-boring effect which pulls the joint tighter together when hammered in, but that might be overkill for a simple box. Just remember, make it work for your project needs!
It's perfectly fine to finish gluing your rabbets, then drill and add the dowels afterward. Just be aware that if you're working on a joint that will bear a lot of weight or stress, it might be worth considering drilling first. But for most cases, your existing glue surfaces will hold up just fine! You can just flush trim the dowels after they dry.
Yes, you can definitely glue the box together first and add dowels later! I've done this myself and it worked out well. As long as you're adding glue to the dowels when you insert them, it shouldn't weaken the joint too much. In fact, it might even strengthen it, especially for joints that won't be under a lot of stress.