To glue, or not to glue?

[alfonzotan]

I posted this question at my project announcement thread... appreciate hearing any feedback from here as well.  Background:  the cab is 5/8" B/C pine plywood, and just about complete as far as the basic assembly... thus far, it's being held together with wood screws.

As I inch towards getting out the paint (the laminate is on order, but may not arrive by the weekend, unfortunately), a question occurs to me.  I'll probably disassemble the cab to paint it.  I'm wondering about when I get to putting everything together for the last time, meaning before the laminate goes on the sides and covers up all the screw heads.  Should I glue the pieces together at that point (minus the access panels and such, of course)?  Or just go with the [beavis] heh heh heh [/beavis] screws?  I have a glue gun with wood glue, as well as a big tube of Gorilla Glue.  Wouldn't add all that much new work, just additional time to let the glue set.

Your thoughts?

(Project thread:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=111782.0 )

[The Lumberjackass]

if your laminating the sides why would you even dream of painting them ? adhesion problems etc ?
it seems like a waste of paint, and time. just wait for the laminate to arrive. and if your cab is screwed together, and its sturdy, leave it that way. people use glue like its a must, and just because it says it dries stronger than the wood itself, does not make it so. mechanical fastners are, and always will be the strongest method of joining wood.
in other words, what im saying is, you dont need to use glue if your cab is already assembled and its sturdy. i didnt use any glue in my build. none. didnt have to paint it either because i used pre-finished mdf. i just slapped some vinyl on it and job done.

[alfonzotan]

if your laminating the sides why would you even dream of painting them ? adhesion problems etc ?
it seems like a waste of paint, and time. just wait for the laminate to arrive. and if your cab is screwed together, and its sturdy, leave it that way. people use glue like its a must, and just because it says it dries stronger than the wood itself, does not make it so. mechanical fastners are, and always will be the strongest method of joining wood.
in other words, what im saying is, you dont need to use glue if your cab is already assembled and its sturdy. i didnt use any glue in my build. none. didnt have to paint it either because i used pre-finished mdf. i just slapped some vinyl on it and job done.

Only painting the interior and a few bits that show through... the side panels, keyboard drawer front panel and coin door will all be laminated.  Definitely won't bother to paint those surfaces first.

Appreciate the advice on the glue, that was my first instinct...

[BobA]

Glue will strengthen the cab but it is not forgiving it you need to change anything.

[Woodshop Flunky]

If you're taking the thing apart anyway... then glue it when you put it back together.  Wood glue does create a bond stronger than the wood (certainly pine plywood).

If you can avoid disassembly, then just leave things as they are.

[alfonzotan]

if your laminating the sides why would you even dream of painting them ? adhesion problems etc ?
it seems like a waste of paint, and time. just wait for the laminate to arrive. and if your cab is screwed together, and its sturdy, leave it that way. people use glue like its a must, and just because it says it dries stronger than the wood itself, does not make it so. mechanical fastners are, and always will be the strongest method of joining wood.
in other words, what im saying is, you dont need to use glue if your cab is already assembled and its sturdy. i didnt use any glue in my build. none. didnt have to paint it either because i used pre-finished mdf. i just slapped some vinyl on it and job done.

Meant to say this earlier, but I was rushed (on my way out to see Jimmy Buffett last night  )... thanks much for the video series, it cleared up a lot of stuff that I would have over-complicated and screwed up on my cab.

[The Lumberjackass]

if your laminating the sides why would you even dream of painting them ? adhesion problems etc ?
it seems like a waste of paint, and time. just wait for the laminate to arrive. and if your cab is screwed together, and its sturdy, leave it that way. people use glue like its a must, and just because it says it dries stronger than the wood itself, does not make it so. mechanical fastners are, and always will be the strongest method of joining wood.
in other words, what im saying is, you dont need to use glue if your cab is already assembled and its sturdy. i didnt use any glue in my build. none. didnt have to paint it either because i used pre-finished mdf. i just slapped some vinyl on it and job done.

Meant to say this earlier, but I was rushed (on my way out to see Jimmy Buffett last night  )... thanks much for the video series, it cleared up a lot of stuff that I would have over-complicated and screwed up on my cab.

no worries bro, your welcome

[oxwald]

Are you sure glue is stronger than screws ?

[TopJimmyCooks]

Are you sure glue is stronger than screws ?

The answer depends on the glue, screws, technique and substrate, but generally, yes, glue is stronger than screws.  Whenever I design anything permanent, I glue it and use screws as clamps and to hold alignment, but the glue is the permanent attachment. 

[Woodshop Flunky]

Are you sure glue is stronger than screws ?

As stated by TopJimmyCooks... it depends on a couple of things.  But if you want to put your mind at rest, take a couple of scrap pieces of wood and glue them together to look like a 'T', then try your best to break them apart.  Do the same with a couple of screws and see if there is a difference.

Personally, I use both; and I'm confident I could park a truck on most my furniture.

[Vigo]

However, glue only adheres to the surface of wood. If the wood face separates, your glue becomes useless. Glue can also be more affected by temperature and moisture changes.

On the other hand, carpenters traditionally cut holes or slots in wood and glued in wood dowels and biscuits to join wood using glue. Tried and true method proving that glue is effective. Glue works best when you have a large surface area to rely on.

I personally don't just rely on glue though. I like to use angle brackets, corner braces, and any other form of metal plate that makes my job easier and more sturdy.