What is "dry fitting" in carpentry?

Dry fitting in carpentry refers to the process of temporarily assembling materials without the use of glue or fasteners to check for proper fit and alignment before final assembly. This technique allows carpenters to visualize how the finished product will look and identify any adjustments that might be necessary to ensure that all components fit together correctly.

For instance, when building cabinets or furniture, dry fitting can help assess whether dimensions are accurate and whether pieces align properly. It can also highlight any inconsistencies that need to be corrected before proceeding with permanent fastening or joining methods, which helps avoid costly errors during the actual construction.

The other options provided don't accurately represent the dry fitting process. Applying wood finish without sanding doesn't relate to fitting pieces together, a common mistake could lead to poor adhesion and finish quality. Fitting pieces of wood with nails already installed isn’t dry fitting, as it involves permanent connections rather than a temporary assessment of fit. Measuring wood pieces for cutting is an essential step in carpentry but does not specifically define what dry fitting entails, as it focuses more on the preparation than the trial assembly aspect.