Carpentry and Woodworking - Fastening top to kneewall?

I have just finished building a kneewall around the opening to my basement stairs. Framed with 2x4's, and faced with drywall both sides.

I have 1 1/2" oak that I want to cap the wall with.

Seeing as how I've already done the drywall, so I can't screw upwards from inside (probably should have thought that through better), what are my options for fastening the oak cap?

All ideas welcome.

Thanks,

Tom

If you have a very flat surface to attach it too, you can use Titebond II or any really good yellow wood glue.

Glue both sides, spread the glue out with a putty knife so you get a nice even coat on the wood and on the 2x4' Take something heavy as in several books, etc and set it on top of the wood, allow to dry for at least 6 hours before you start messing with it again. That should do the trick.

Tom,

A number of ideas come to mind, though you want strength, of course, to be an overriding factor. The beauty of your project is that you have such a large (1 1/2") piece of material to work with.

My best thought:

Try drilling, screwing and, then, plugging your cap to the upper 2 X 4. (By plugging, I mean that you would take a Forstner bit, for example, and countersink your screws into the cap perhaps 3/8" deep. Cut an oak dowel to fit the hole above the screw, glue the dowel into place and then cut it - carefully! - flush with the cap. With some judicious sanding, the plugs should blend nicely.)

My reasoning with this method is that you have some latitude. As long as the drywall is level, any "twist" in your top 2 X 4 isn't going to affect the result.

Even supposing that there is a leveling problem, the cap can be shimmed to level and a small (hopefully :)) quarter-round moulding could be added beneath the cap to cover any discrepancy between the cap and drywall.

I'll look forward to your "final" solution. :D

Tom

Thanks for the replies.

I borrowed a plug cutter and drilled and plugged the holes as recommended.

The plugs are barely visible.:D

I appreciate the help.

Tom

Tom,

No kidding. That actually worked! :D

Anyway, I hope you're happy with your project.

Tom