Carpentry and Woodworking - Alternatives to screws for 1/2" mdf butt joints.

For the same drawer project, I am planning to simply butt joint the front face to the bottom slide panels.

I bought a gun that would use brads, but it can only hold a max 5/8" nail. Is there any way I can still use this or do I have to pre-drill and use screws?

MDF does not handle fasteners well, but this may help by avoiding screwing into the end of the pieces.

http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product_details.cfm?&DID=6&offerings_id=10408&catid=10&objectgroup_id=14

if you want to you can shoot the brads in one after another, what i mean is when you shoot the 5/8 brad into the wood dont move the gun and shoot another brad into the same spot, and the second brad drives the first into the wood further,,, this is not recomended by the manufacturers but does work.

or you can buy a buiscuit jointer and use that, they are fairly easy to use.

Another note re MDF:

Do not use tapered screws - use non-tapered, and always predrill holes.

fred

Thank you all, these are really good suggestions.

I think the double brad nailing is an interesting idea. I've never heard of this and it certainly sounds easier than individually driving each brad with a nailset! I think I need way more practice with the gun, though -- it isn't an air gun, it is electric and may not have the oomph required.

I have invested in the countersink drill bit and I think I will generously use L-brackets for stability.

the double brad nailing tech will not work with the electric nailers sorry. Had you thought about rabetting and just glue and clamping the pieces together? the glues now days is alot stronger and wont let go in time.