assembly question for the pros...

[bridger]

unless the back is to be trapped entirely and floating in the assembly, put the back in last.

[Swingman]

If the glue up is complicated for you, simply use the back panel to square the rest of the assembly while the glue dries, but don't fasten it until latter.

[Travis]

Newbie here. I'm just about to assemble a small bookcase I made out of 3/4 birch ply. Dimensions are roughly 32"x25"x11" and the design is very simple. Rabbets to connect the sides to the tops and rabbets in the rear of all pieces to accept a plywood backing. This will be a glue only affair, and the assembly has me a little scared. Should I shoot for gluing the carcass up first and then dropping the back in later or should I do the whole thing at once?

Thanks for any tips...

[Mike]

Six of one half a dozen of the other. If you are sure you back is square and true, doing a complete glue up including the back saves a lot of that measuring diagonals and such to check for square.

[JLucas ILS]

Let gravity help you with the assembly. But one side down flat on work surface and then work from rt to left or visa versa. Get all the sleves in and add the other side at the top. Then add back to help you square it all up. You said glue only. Brads or finishing nails will help immensely.

[John]

If you do the whole thing at once, the back will keep the bookcase square so one less thing to worry about/fuss about

John