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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Bookcase out of square

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Expert: - 12/21/2009


Question
Mr. Scholl...Thank you for taking time to answer my question.  I am a beginning (wanna be) woodworker that just built my first "real bookcase".  It is 76" tall and 30" wide.  I have a problem.  The bookcase is out of square.  I cut 3/4" dadoes and glued the shelves into a 2x12 pine board.  I have not yet put the back on the case.  Is it possible to square the case without breaking my glue joints?  I am about 1/4" out.  I have spent many hours trying to make this bookcase look nice and I don't want to ruin what I have worked for.  Any suggestions.  Thanks again...Eddie

Answer
Hi Eddie, I think you know the answer here...if the glue is dry, and you've made well fitting dadoes...then no it's not going to move, you'll have to break the glue joints to move it at all......with a block of wood and a hammer you should be able to knock the glue joints apart, if the joints are tight, as there won't be a lot of glue in them....only one way to find out really, post back if need be- regards- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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