Why does nobody talk about dry-fitting outdoor furniture without glue?

I built a patio chair last summer and used waterproof glue like all the guides say. After some rain, the joints still got wobbly and I was fed up. I tried leaving the glue out and just making the mortise and tenon fits super tight. It's been solid through all kinds of weather since then. Sometimes I think we just use glue because it's what we've always done.

3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

3 Comments

the_david6mo ago

Tbh, when you said you made the fits super tight without glue, I get it, but glue does more than just hold things together. It seals the wood from water getting in, which is huge for outdoor stuff. Without that, you're just asking for rot or cracks over time.

4

stellab826mo ago

Yikes, learned that the hard way with a warped bench last summer.

8

skyler1906mo ago

Did you read how swollen wood joints can keep water out too, @the_david?

3