Appropriate glue???

[Al Launier]

I recently built a jewelry armoire for my daughter that has a polyurethane finish on top of a stain. I now would like to add a panel to each side. They also has a polyurethane finish on them. Having these panels is a last minute "option" that developed after totally completing the armoire. So, now I'm undecided as to the best way to attach the "poly" panels to the armoire: double sided tape, CA or glue. If glue, what would be the best glue to attach two polyurethane finished surfaces. I have doubts about using the Titebond glues as they soak into the wood to get their adhesion as that wouldn't happen with the polyurethane finish.

Whatever the choice I'd like to see a tight fit if possible - I don't want the panel to stand off the armoire, i.e. no gap.

Any suggestions?

[Doug Garson]

Can't quite picture what you are trying to do but can you mask off the finish next to the surfaces you need to apply glue to, sand or scrape the finish off and glue it up?

[Jim Becker]

Can you use mechanical fasteners from the inside...IE...screws? You'll need to abrade the existing finish to glue, regardless. And you still need to consider wood movement.

[Al Launier]

This is what the jewelry box (wife prefers to call it an Armoire) & the panels look like. It's a surprise gift for my daughter. As an afterthought the box strikes me as lacking in detail on each side & the front; too expansive blank area. So I made up some "panels" that could be attached to the sides to give my daughter an option if she wanted the sides plain or with the panels. If she prefers.

The interior is finished in velvet so I really don't want to mechanically attach the panels from the inside, although that was a good idea. That thought led me to think perhaps a decorative headed screw from the outside (2/panel) since the walls of the box are 1/2" thick. These might serve as "accents"??? Any further thoughts and/or recommendations for detail attachment s?

[Mel Fulks]

It's nice,and I don't think the panels are needed. Might even be a little "clunky". The box is similar to some 19th century
tea caddys, so you could look at some Google pics of those for some inspiration . But I think you will find that type is not usually highly ornamented.

[Al Launier]

It's nice,and I don't think the panels are needed. Might even be a little "clunky". The box is similar to some 19th century
tea caddys, so you could look at some Google pics of those for some inspiration .

Thanks Mel, that was encouraging. Made one for my wife, but she wanted her's painted - she loves it; me, still not sure???

[Al Launier]

Can you use mechanical fasteners from the inside...IE...screws? You'll need to abrade the existing finish to glue, regardless. And you still need to consider wood movement.

Jim, thanks for the suggestion. I did poly the back side in anticipation of the wood working with humidity. I really didn't think through on this project and as you can see got myself in trouble. But, it's said that the mark of a good craftsman is one who can get himself out of trouble. I'll have to consider the options, one being that my daughter prefers it the way it is. If not, I'll have to come up with something.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Al,

Could you use dowels? They would require a little careful planning to get them located properly, like a jig or pattern, but if centered properly would reduce the need to provide allowance for wood movement.
Obviously use glue on the dowels and clamp the panels in place until the glue dries but it could reduce the magnitude of the amount of glue needed, provide a mechanical attachment while allowing some seasonal movement.

[Mel Fulks]

Al...please look at those pics. It's a nice thing to be enjoyed. It signals quality within by by outside design and grace. Don't
turn it into a "strong box". It's got to show luxury and indulgence....not a mistrust of the servants.

[Dan Hulbert]

Looks great as is. If you really want to ornament the sides, smaller panels similar to what you did on top might do the trick. Rough up the back and the box and attach with gel CA.

[marty fretheim]

I added some corbels to some "Stickley" furniture I built after it was finished. I held the piece where it was gonna go and penciled around it. Then I carefully sanded down to bare wood and glued it on. They're not going anywhere. I don't know your whole finishing regime but you'd be amazed how thin a finish is and how easy it is to sand off. If you used BLO or some type of oil in your process that might not work. You don't have to sand right to the edges of your pencil line, there should be plenty of surface for the glue to adhere. Maybe put a couple more coats of finish after that just to blend it in.

It does look really good as is though. Nice work!

BTW I just used regular PVA glue.

[Jim Becker]

Yea, personally, there's no way I'd add those panels to that beautiful jewelry armoire!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Yea, personally, there's no way I'd add those panels to that beautiful jewelry armoire!

I agree completely!

[Al Launier]

I placed the panels against the sides to see how it would look. I was disappointed in that the panel grain was so different from the box grain (plain straight vs. . Actually, I didn't like the panels on the sides. In fact, I'm not going to present it as an alternative unless she brings it up.
Thanks for all the comments & suggestions. It was great to bounce this off you fellow woodworkers.