Cabinet Face Frame Install

[ragswl4]

I am ready to install a few face frames on cabinets and have read differing opinions on the process. I will use pocket hole screws (3 per side/top/bottom) and wanted opinions on whether I should also glue the frames to the carcase. This cabinet is 30"x30" and the doors and frame together weigh about 15lbs. All thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

[Tequila]

You'll get different opinions depending on who you ask. I've used them both with and without glue. If I were doing a face frame and door the size you're describing, I'd use glue. Mostly because the extra 2 minutes of work gives a lot of added strength.

[stormdog74]

You'll get different opinions depending on who you ask. I've used them both with and without glue. If I were doing a face frame and door the size you're describing, I'd use glue. Mostly because the extra 2 minutes of work gives a lot of added strength.

I agree - it is easy and will be very strong.

[Anna]

I'm not exactly qualified to answer the question directly, but given my recent experience with putting on a face frame (10 feet long, 3 feet high, as a single unit), I have to say that glue is indeed very strong. I ended up just using glue, without any mechanical fasteners (long story; would have preferred to use some screws or nails, but there was a, uhm, design flaw).

Anyway, I used Elmer's white glue as recommended by some folks here, and I let it set overnight. After my usual unscientific strength test - hanging on to the edge of the face frame and use my weight at an angle to try to pry it loose - my conclusion is it does work, and it's pretty solid. Really strong and didn't even budge a bit.

As the others said, the extra couple of minutes won't hurt, and you'll get one heckuva solid piece out of it.

[cabinetman]

I have to agree with Anna. IMO you don't need any mechanical fasteners. Just yellow glue and clamp. Or, you could go frameless.
.

[JimD]

The fasteners are just convenient substitutes for clamps. The glue is the dependable way to hold wood pieces together.

Jim

[drumpriest]

I glue my FF's, and often use a combo of clamps and pocket screws if there are convenient places that they won't be seen. The screws are exactly as Jim says, substitutes for clamps. If you used ply to build the carcass, and sold for FFs, then you have about 1/2 the ply thickness of long grain to long grain in your glue up. This makes it very strong indeed.

[ragswl4]

Thanks for all the posts. Glue and screw it will be. I like the idea that the pocket screws work in place of the clamps. Never have enough clamps.