Realized my drawer box glue up was a mess for way too long

Been making cabinets for about 8 years now. Always just slapped glue on the dovetails, clamped them, and moved on. Last month, I was cleaning a panel saw and saw a guy pre-assemble his boxes with just masking tape at the corners first. No clamps. He said it lets you check the square before the glue sets. Tried it on a kitchen job last week. My boxes are way more consistent now. How do you all handle your drawer glue ups to keep them square?

3 comments

3 Comments

joel5362mo ago

My old shop teacher swore by that tape trick. I use a couple quick clamps across the diagonals to check square before the glue dries.

simon_black4d ago

Wait, you actually measure diagonals with clamps still on? That's wild. I'd be too scared of knocking something out of alignment while fumbling around with a tape measure. Props to your shop teacher for drilling that into you though.

wyatt_fox682mo ago

Yeah, the tape thing is a game changer. I also mark a reference line on my bench and push the box into the corner to check square before the glue grabs.