Keep glue smears from marring joints

Glue kerfs solve face-to-face glue-up problems, but mortise-and-tenon joints require another strategy. For joints like the one shown at right, dry-assemble the joint, and tape the mortised piece around the tenon piece using masking tape or painter's tape. Then tape the tenon part next to the joint. Glue, assemble, and clamp the joint, making sure no squeeze-out drips off the tape.For dowel tenons in round holes, first tape over the mortise and cut away the tape over the hole, as shown. Insert the dowel or round tenon, and tape where it meets the surface of the mortised piece. Then glue and assemble the joint. In both instances, wipe off glue squeeze-out with a damp rag. Then remove the tape before the glue dries.—from the WOOD shop