Rails & Stiles on an Eastman #1

[Fotoguy20d]

I have a WP Eastman #1 where the rails are a bit loose. There's around 5-10 degrees of play between the rails and the stiles (so, the front bed can look very slightly like a diamond if you push it side to side). It's tongue and groove but I wonder if there are pins hidden under the metal rails or if its unsupported. Anyone know? Its tight enough that I don't want to try to pull it apart for fear of cracking the wood. I thought I'd try to get some Tightbond into the gaps (which are very small) using a toothpick. Anyone have some better ideas?

Thanks,
Dan

[John Koehrer]

I've been putting a small drop of glue on top of the crack and working it in with dental floss. After I get some into the gap the excess gets wiped off with a damp cloth.

[Fotoguy20d]

John,

Excellent idea. The floss works great. What glue do you like to use?

Thanks.
Dan

[Fotoguy20d]

Okay, another question on the same camera. The rise/fall on the front keeps slipping. Looks like its just compression that keeps the rack and pinion together. How do I tighten this up?

Thanks,
Dan

[John Koehrer]

I use one of the titebond series. whichever bottle falls into my hand first. Waterproof or not. If the joint is tight enough I don't think it makes a difference. Elmers makes a similar range of product too.
Don't use any of the polyurethane glues like Gorilla Glue. It need one surface to activate and the squeezeout is nothing but a PITA to remove.

About the slippage, I'd try one of the European style lock washers between the standard and the frame. I'd also put another washer under the lock washer to prevent gouging the wood