How to repair dropped cabinet?

[Steverd]

 My Defender was dropped during loading and split one side of the cabinet.
What's the best way to repair?
I'm thinking, Wood glue and Brad nails, and long clamps.



Thank you,
Steve

[leapinlew]

Ouch! I agree - wood glue, brad nails - I would probably use some L bracket bracing internal.

I'd use some bondo on the outside.

[bfauska]

Steve,

Welcome to the forum, sorry you couldn't have posted under happier circumstances.

I agree about the wood glue, clamps, and brads.  You may also want to add a few more corner blocks like the ones seen through the crack, but it's probably not necessary.  Once wood glue dries it is usually a stronger bond than what exists naturally in wood anyway.

Good luck.

[sstorkel]

Looks like there's already some blocking on the inside that could be used to attach screws or nails. If the cabinet sides are plywood or MDF, which looks to be the case, I'd apply wood glue liberally then pull everything back into alignment with clamps. I'd pre-drill holes for some screws, and run them into the existing blocks. I've seen too many nails let loose, so I tend to use screws for anything I care about. Counter-sink the screws so they're level with, or slightly below, the cabinet surface.

Looks like the side and back are a bit messed up. You might want to clean those spots up with a chisel before you glue everything back together. Once the glue has set, you could use Bondo to fill in the divots, then sand everything smooth. Or just paint it to match the cabinet; the damage is in the back so it's unlikely anyone will look at it closely.

[brandon]

I would just soak that bad boy in some Elmer's or TightBond wood glue and clamp it down.  Wipe away the excess and wait 24 hours before remove the clamps.  Good as new!  people seriously underestimate the strength of wood glue.  I broke the neck on one of my electric guitars and TightBond III did the trick.  If it can hold under the tension of steel strings you know it will hold you cabinet together.  Like bfauska said the glue is actually stronger than the wood itself.

[shardian]

people seriously underestimate the strength of wood glue. 

Definitely. The thought of a liquid goop being a strong connection adds to the misconception.

Side story time: In HS, I was pretty big into ceramics and sculpting. I had made this really cool hand, and some jackass broke one of the fingers off while messing around with it. I was pissed, and the teacher told me to put it back together with Elmer's glue. I thought she was nuts. Elmer's glue? that crap is for kindergarteners. Well it turns out, Elmers glue is about the best thing you can use for ceramics. That finger is rock solid, even with just a thin coat of elmers holding it together.

[ChadTower]

I've repaired pin cabinets just like that... some wood glue, good clamping, and be sure to either use or replace the inner blocking, and you'll be better than original.  No need for L brackets or brads, though the brads won't hurt if you happen to have a brad nailer sitting around.

[Namco]

One question, I'm planning on using wood glue and some clamps to fix a mashed up corner on my cab, but after you've applied the glue and clamped it overnight... how do you remove those clamps? Aren't they now also glued to the cabinet? 

[sstorkel]

One question, I'm planning on using wood glue and some clamps to fix a mashed up corner on my cab, but after you've applied the glue and clamped it overnight... how do you remove those clamps? Aren't they now also glued to the cabinet? 

Wood glue only sticks to wood. Most clamps have plastic or rubber jaws that are immune to wood glue. Plus, you shouldn't be putting glue on the clamps Put glue between the pieces of wood that need to stick together, then apply clamps to the outside of the pieces and tighten them down. If you've applied the right amount of glue, there shouldn't be enough squeeze out that it will come in contact with the clamps anyway...

[brandon]

but yeah.. it wont stick to the clamps.. so dont worry... and while you're at it.. use the force!.. (sorry.. I'm intoxicated) 

[ChadTower]

Traditional wood glues only stick to wood... I've had less traditional "wood glues" like Gorilla Glue stick to other stuff.  Be a bit more mindful of that if you're using one that expands.