Any woodworkers?

Yes you are. I've glues up small panels and big 10 foot bartops and everything in between. Just enough pressure to close the gaps and squeeze a bit of glue is all you need to get a good bond. Small panels may only need 2 or 3 clamps. I glued up 6 foot island top a few weeks ago and I only used 4 clamps. It was enough, and I did alternate them top and bottom. I found panels need only just enough clamps to be effective. When gluing large surface faces together, on the otherhand, I like to use an overabundance of clamps to get the faces really pressed together over the large surface area. I hope this makes sense.

 

What those guys said above.

 

15 board feet of hard maple in the back of my trusty 2nd gen. Will be turned into a few picture frames shortly.

 

Thanks guys. I need to buy some clamps and get to practicing.

 

pony / jorgensen are by far my favorites at least. got a bunch of cabinet (parallel) clamps years ago during a "jorgie orgy" as it was called.

 

Is there a general guideline as far as width of glue up when cauls are needed? Such as anything over 12” wide, for example?

 

I always make sure there is even pressure- equal glue ooze. And everything is flat, shim as nessiary. But not too much clamp pressure, you don’t want a dry glue joint.

 

not sure if there really is one. for me, it really just depends if there's any wonkiness when i dry-clamp the panels before the glueup. honestly, i've rarely used cauls.

 

All my glue ups are with pre thickness lumber, a lot more forgiving.

 

what are all those for? love that cart too!

 

Those are guitar bodies, I used to work for Heritage Guitars. The finished product.

 

oh nice!

 

That’s not me in the picture, that guy actually has the talent.

 

this was a scrapwood project i did a little while ago -- little fold-up stand. was a copy of something from HSN or QVC.

 

I rarely use cauls as well, I should though. I'm just lazy aboit it. and I find if I spend time making sure all my glue faces are square and jointed right I don't get too much cupping. Cauls should also have a slight curve in them...so when placed on a panel the center of the caul will be exerting the most pressure where the panel will be cupping up the most. STUMPY NUBS and The WOOD WHISPERER on youtube both have great vids on clamping and using cauls. I've learned a lot from them and they explain things in a very consice manner. Better than I can!

 

Nice box joints on those corners.

 

thanks! gotta redo my jig at some point . . . when i feel like it.

 

Had an old guy tell me once, you’re only as good as your tools, so take good care of them.

 

and keep everything sharp . . . everything's better and safer that way.

 

A sharp tool is a safe tool
Never wear gloves while operating machinery
It’s better to have a ring finger than a ring on your finger