I'm working on a project to build a stand for my mini fridge, and I've been really careful to measure and cut everything precisely. I always use a level and square when I screw the pieces together. However, I've noticed that my current project is turning out to be out of square before I finish it. I'm picking quality lumber, but it seems like it's still somewhat bent. Could that be the issue? It doesn't appear warped on the side I'm using, but I'm wondering what's going wrong here.
2 Answers
It’s tough to pinpoint the exact issue without seeing your setup, but bent lumber can definitely throw things off. If you're assembling it without making adjustments, the bent pieces might just pull everything out of square. Double-check your square too; sometimes the tools can be off as well.
When you’re using butt joints, it’s super important that your cuts are exactly 90 degrees. Even a slight angle can cause all kinds of misalignment by the time you finish your box. Before you screw everything together, try dry fitting the pieces and clamping them. Measure diagonally across the box—both corners should match if it’s square. If it's still not right, consider clamping a straight edge into the corners to help keep everything aligned while you fasten it.