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That time a client in Denver asked for a built-in with no visible fasteners
I was installing a bookshelf in a tight corner and the client wanted it to look like it grew out of the wall. I was about to use pocket holes and filler, but the homeowner, an old boat builder, handed me a doweling jig. He showed me how to drill angled holes from the back of the shelf into the studs, then glue and tap in dowels. It took an extra hour, but the joint is rock solid and you can't see a single screw. Anyone have a different method for a clean, hidden join in a situation like that?
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noahchen5mo ago
Wow, that dowel trick is genius for tight spots.
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evan1512mo ago
Oh man, that dowel trick in the walls is so smart! I tried something similar once on a bathroom cabinet where the homeowner wanted zero hardware showing. I ended up using a Kreg jig to drill pocket holes on the inside faces of the side panels, then glued in short wooden pegs instead of screws. It took forever to sand everything flush, but it worked perfectly for a lighter cabinet. I bet that boat builder had some other neat tricks up his sleeve.
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sandra7155mo ago
That dowel method is great, but calling it "rock solid" might be a stretch for a floating shelf. The strength really depends on the glue and the angle of those dowels. For heavier loads, I'd still want some hidden metal hardware in the wall.
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