Woodworking question

[pault28]

Hello all. I am building some American girl doll dressers for my daughters. They are a plywood carcass with solid oak legs, Baltic birch drawers with solid oak drawer fronts, and a solid oak top. I am including a picture of the legs. I have plowed out the material where they will sit against the cabinet carcass corners. Is it best to screw these? Glue them, or both? I'm worried about potential expanding and contracting of the legs vs the carcass NOT expanding or contracting. Any advice for the newbie? The second pic is how it will sit when attached to the carcass.

 

[ddawg16]

I would do both. Screw from the inside......

The screws will do a better job of holding in shear...

 

[LeeG]

Expansion is going to happen mainly across th grain, not along it. Since these pieces are pretty narrow, expansion shouldn't be a factor. I'll agree with John and use both glue and screws.

 

[jimreed2160]

Nice looking project. I am sure the girls will be thrilled. And yes, I agree with screws and glue. The glue will provide the tight joint and the screws will ensure a good tight fit for a great bond.

 

[pault28]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Still a lot of work to do. Gotta edge band the plywood edges, cut and route the drawer fronts, laminate the top together and install it (with tabletop fasteners) and then sanding sanding sanding and spraying. I'll post pics once they're all done. I'm building three of them, one for each of my two daughters and one for their best friend who's dad passed away and doesn't have anyone to make her anything.

 

[derosa]

The screws will be extraneous unless you're using them to hold it together till the glue dries. Either a chance to drill to deep a pilot hole or split a thin piece of oak because the hole wasn't big enough. Its a doll dresser, it will have little real pressure on it and not a lot of stress, the glue will hold the legs fine. Expansion isn't much of an issue in length, just width and below a couple inches wide isn't much at all. You'll be fine there.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I would use a good quality yellow wood glue, and clamp the legs to the case overnight. You should have no problems.

 

[CTyankee]

The screws will be extraneous unless you're using them to hold it together till the glue dries. Either a chance to drill to deep a pilot hole or split a thin piece of oak because the hole wasn't big enough. Its a doll dresser, it will have little real pressure on it and not a lot of stress, the glue will hold the legs fine. Expansion isn't much of an issue in length, just width and below a couple inches wide isn't much at all. You'll be fine there.

Well...it SHOULDN'T have any real pressure on it...but we both know what's really gonna happen.

I'm a fan of adding mechanical fasteners when possible as a backup. Pre-drill and use small head screws to avoid splitting. Looking good.