[Mbrockman5]

Hello all.... I'm in the process of building a box, and I'm stuck on how to fasten the bottom trim pieces without ruining the "look" of the project. I used wire nails on the box joints, but I'm not sure if i want the nail head showing on the bottom trim. (side note: everything was done by hand except drill pressed pilot holes. I don't have a tablesaw, router etc)

 

[Slanie88]

How about wood glue and clamps. Should be plenty strong and no need for nails

 

[RogerInColorado]

I agree with glue and clamps. Modern wood glue is stronger than the wood, and in this case there is no stress on it to speak of.

 

[Steve Neul]

Glue alone would be good if you hadn't stained the box first. The stain will reduce the effectiveness of the glue as it will seal the pores of the wood. I would use finishing nails too and countersink them and fill with wood putty.

 

[Mbrockman5]

Ok, I have been using the Gorilla Wood Glue. I was thinking about nailing it through the inside walls. That way it's glued on the outside and nailed from the inside.

 

[fire65]

Just put some glue and clamps or rubber bands around it and stop worrying about it. Even though you stained it before glue, which was a bad thing, there is no stress or load on this. After 5 minutes with glue you will not be able to pull it off
Sure you could pin nail it, bisquit it, pocket screw it, etc, but why since it holds nothing.

 

[sawdustfactory]

Just my opinion but the trim is too bulky for the box. I'd leave it off.

 

[johnnie52]

Just my opinion but the trim is too bulky for the box. I'd leave it off.

+1. I would just resize the bottom to fit inside the box and glue it in place. You may need some creative holding methods to prevent the bottom from getting out of alignment, but that bottom molding is far too massive and will only hide the beautiful work you've done so far.

 

[Mbrockman5]

Ok.... Being a beginner is frustrating sometimes, but learning the hard way is still learning. That's why i come here....thanks for the constructive criticism guys....

 

[wood shavings]

smaller

I agree the rest of the folks here you have a wonderful looking bow don't hide your work especially the work that you did by hand. You can get away with half of that trim. You have what looks like dowel or plugs used to join it together why not carry this on down to the trim as well. Come off the ends with screws and glue the trim in place. Countersink the screws and fill with plugs as you did on the top section.

Jerry

 

[Mbrockman5]

I get what your saying. Now my wheels are spinnin' on some ideas. This is the original "Mock-Up" i had at first. I'm using oak for the front and back panels and pine on the sides and vise versa on the bottom trim but had to re-do the front & back trim to get the corners closer and decided to go oak all around.

 

[Mbrockman5]

(Side note) the lid isn't finished. I just threw it on for the mock up....

 

[Steve Neul]

Ok, I have been using the Gorilla Wood Glue. I was thinking about nailing it through the inside walls. That way it's glued on the outside and nailed from the inside.

When ever you nail something like that you just need to use nails that are short enough they don't go all the way through. If using a nail gun sometimes it's necessary to shoot the nails on a angle to prevent this. I use a nail gun that countersinks the nails more than a 1/8" on soft wood so I have to allow extra when I'm considering nail size.

 

[Mbrockman5]

Well...after some trial and error, i finally finished the box. Even though i ended up keeping everything the way i originally had it, I really do appreciate all the advice from you guys.