Edge guing or face gluing? Or, something else?

 

Assuming your talking panels, use clamps on top and bottom. Tighten top ones first while pushing down on middle of bar.

 

For panels, use either dowels, biscuits or cauls. You can make cauls easily with 8/4 stock ripped straight and then cut to a slight arch in the middle. I have a piece of MDF that I use as a template to cut the profile on my router table with a profile bit. Also, be sure to cover the edge with something like packing tape so the glue doesn't stick.

If you're talking about face-to-face, a lot depends on the situation. You can get the pieces aligned and shoot a couple of 23 ga pins to hold them in place while you clamp. You can also shoot three or four 23 ga pins that are shorter than the thickness of the board into one face and clip them with diagonal cutters. The little protrusions are enough to bite and prevent slippage, but small enough not to prevent the pieces from coming together.

For right angle, it's hard to beat dowels, although the right angle clamping guides you can buy or make help keep the edges flush.

 

I find different projects always present this challenge. Sometimes I use blocks sometimes I use blue tape or packing tape. It's a whole separate set of skills we develop.
Good luck

 

For panels, use either dowels, biscuits or cauls. You can make cauls easily with 8/4 stock ripped straight and then cut to a slight arch in the middle. I have a piece of MDF that I use as a template to cut the profile on my router table with a profile bit. Also, be sure to cover the edge with something like packing tape so the glue doesn t stick.

If you re talking about face-to-face, a lot depends on the situation. You can get the pieces aligned and shoot a couple of 23 ga pins to hold them in place while you clamp. You can also shoot three or four 23 ga pins that are shorter than the thickness of the board into one face and clip them with diagonal cutters. The little protrusions are enough to bite and prevent slippage, but small enough not to prevent the pieces from coming together.

For right angle, it s hard to beat dowels, although the right angle clamping guides you can buy or make help keep the edges flush.

- Rich

Rich,
Never thought of that trick but it sounds like a good one. I'll have to remember that. Thanks.
MrRon,
Good thread.

 

for edge glue, I prefer biscuits or if its a shorter piece, just rub jointing it.

 

You can also shoot three or four 23 ga pins that are shorter than the thickness of the board into one face and clip them with diagonal cutters.

- Rich

I'm sure it's obvious that if the pins go in flush with the board, the above trick is worthless. One good way to make sure the pins stand proud of the surface is to shoot them through a thin board, maybe 1/8" to 1/16", laying on top of the board you want to glue. The thin board will lift off of the pins easily and there will be enough pin protruding to snip like described above.

 

I find different projects always present this challenge. Sometimes I use blocks sometimes I use blue tape or packing tape. It's a whole separate set of skills we develop.
Good luck

- Aj2

+1 At least for me. It seems that every time I have a technique that works the next project calls for something more innovative because the clamp is in the way or not long enough or the wood is warped more etc. Some folks recommend adding salt to the glue joint to act as an abrasive but I have yet to do that. The scariest is with plywood or veneer as there is little wiggle room before you've sanded past the "Oh f**k" stage and gone through the top layer of veneer.

 

Sorry. Double post.

 

I like biscuits or loose tenons.

 

I like biscuits or loose tenons.

- Bill_Steele

+1

 

Don't worry about. After the glue is dried, just start sanding . It'll clean up. ............ Jerry (in Tucson)

 

If you want to attempt to make your own clamps a set of three of these https://hobbyworkshopprojects.blogspot.com/2019/03/woods-panel-clamps.html will handle most of your edge and face gluing needs. They are unique in that they apply pressure in two directions by tightening one screw. The more pressure you apply to the glued surface the more pressure is applied to keep everything from slipping. I can't remember where I found it but it is clearly from a late 80's "Wood" magazine. Once three are applied and tightened you can add all the clamps you need depending on the size of your work without fear of misaligning the glue-up.

 

Mr Ron, I had a similar issue with the toy making.
A woodworking friend suggested I use Titebond Original and I've been using it ever since!

 

That is called an Equipressure clamp. The Kitts, minus the wood may still be available. I am not sure who sold them.

 

Lots of good advice here. One other is, for edge gluing thin boards, use spring clamps at the ends where the boards meet. Lots of ways to skin a cat.

 

Lots of good advice here. One other is, for edge gluing thin boards, use spring clamps at the ends where the boards meet. Lots of ways to skin a cat.

- builtinbkyn

+1. Also, when you get down towards 1/4" or less, I use masking tape. It makes it easy to get the boards aligned. You tape over the joint(s) and to apply glue flip it over and open the joint. With Bill's spring clamp advice added, you really don't even need to clamp across the panel.

 

BTW, has anyone here used the Damstom clamps? I considered buying or making some, but couldn't get myself to spend that much(since I would like at least 3)

https://www.rockler.com/damstom-38-in-panel-clamp-blue

 

Another vote here for biscuits. An added benefit is how much stronger they make the joint ;>)

 

So, I've never tried it, but here's a thread on using some salt https://www.lumberjocks.com/topics/158706

Also mentioned linked in that thread (and above) https://www.rockler.com/4-way-equal-pressure-clamp
as well as pinch dogs: http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=31158&cat=1,43456,57657

Just some additional ideas.

 

I like the clipped brad trick and I also regularly use the salt trick. Brads for large areas and salt for small items.

Big glue ups like planks in a table top get some form of a spline or biscuit.

 

Carlos510, thanks for that link!!! Great stuff and fun browsing.

https://hobbyworkshopprojects.blogspot.com/

 

Thanks Planeman40, If I wasn't so old and we had less winters from hell like this one I would get more of my own projects posted, but there is a large mix of material their now for the eclectic diy'er.

 

Another vote here for biscuits. An added benefit is how much stronger they make the joint ;>)

- bigblockyeti

Not. ;-) Great for alignment, not strength.

 

There are many ways to keep them from slipping. You can use dowels or biscuits as mentioned. Make them oversize and screw the edges then cut the edges away or pin nails then clamp.