FASTENINGS.
There are many ways of fastening the parts and joints of furniture.
Among those most used are brads, screws, wooden pins, shaping of the
parts and glue. Glue is used in almost all joints. Use brads and screws
very sparingly. Any other fastening is preferable in most cases. If
you do use the latter in any part that is visible, first bore a hole
from ⅛ to ¼ in. deep, large enough to take a wooden plug to cover the
head of the metal. For fastening by shaping the parts there are many
devices. You have learned the mortise and tenon, the dowel joint, the
mitre and the dovetail. These will answer almost every requirement,
with glue in most cases, and in some cases pins to hold them together.
When using glue there are several things to be observed. It should not
be too thick or too thin. Experience soon teaches you how thick to use
it for each kind of work. As a rule about as thick as thin syrup will
be right, but hard wood requires thinner glue than soft wood. If the
pieces are very cold they should be warmed and the glue always used
hot. When the joint is such as admits rub the parts together, and in
all cases clamp tight to force out the surplus glue and hold the joint
until the glue is dried. It should stand 8 to 12 hours before being
handled. To glue end grain first size it, that is, put on a coat of
glue, allow it to dry and then proceed as above. Use the best furniture
glue, though the prepared glues are good and very convenient, but if
you use the latter get a small quantity, as it is better to use it hot
and it loses strength by frequent heating.
To prepare glue use a glue pot which is like a double boiler. Put as
much as you think you will use in the inside pot and cover with cold
water. Let it soak six or eight hours, then put the smaller pot in the
larger one with water in the outside one and heat until the glue is hot.
Glue can be made to stand the weather by adding one part boiled linseed
oil to eight parts glue, stirring all the time, or else use skimmed
milk instead of water in the glue.