Screws in Cabinets: Yay or Nay?
 

Hi,

Assembling a cabinet now and I've noticed that one of the glued bracing panels has a hairline gap along part of its length where it doesn't quite fit flush with the cabinet wall.

There seems to be a general reluctance to use any screws in speaker cabinets and to go for a "glue-only" approach when it comes to cabinet construction.

Would it be okay to put a drywall screw in the bracing panel so it contacts the cabinet wall and thus reduces a possible source of vibration at the hairline gap?

Also, to eliminate any possibility of the screw eventually becoming loose, should glue be injected in to the screw hole before the screw is screwed in good and tight?

Thanks for any suggestions!

I would rather fill out that hairline gap. Unglued screws just hold things in place until the glue sets. Glued screws asymetrically placed could be wieved as breaking up symmetries and thus spreading resonance patterns.

Hello DrBoar,

Thanks for your reply.

How would you suggest I fill out the gap?

It's not much of a bracing panel if it's not making contact with the box walls. ;)

I would use construction adhesive instead of carpenter's glue on that particular joint. Put a fairly thick bead on. It will easily fill the gap and will remain very slightly pliable indefinitely, which will provide the desired damping and resist cracking/rattling.

Mix sawdust with glue. (mix very well)

Fill the gap.

Use tape to hold the mix in place until the glue dries.

Remove tape.

:)

Car body filler.

Screws are simply clamps in a different shape.
Use good epoxy (West Systems, SystemThree) with a filler and 'shove' into into the gap, and along the seam. Give it 24 hours and it will never move.

I have never glued panels on my speaker boxes.
I always use 2 by 2 bracing, screws every few inches and have never had any problems.
Clearly if you want a wood finish then screws are a big no no.
I have always covered my boxes in thin carpet which is hard wearing for mobile use.

:checked: First prize goes to cogitech. :)