On Jun 27, 7:12 am, "Leon" <removespamlcb11...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> My work around is to use nothing. I have several clamps with "smooth"
metal
> clamping surfaces and unless I crank down severely I don't get marks.
Good point. Especially with the largest of the clamps, I rarely use
them for anything "fine". Those bigger boys (like one of those havy
duty 30" depp throat jobs) are perfect for lining up 2X materials when
making beams, twisting a joist back where is should be before nailing,
etc.
And I find I don't clamp things with as much pressure as I used to in
years past. I read an article on furniture making that the glue
makers ( I >think< it was Franklin) and some furniture makers group
tested out the glues and their application several years ago.
They opined that there are a few things that screw up a glue up,
..with most of these being pointed at edge to edge laminations
for tops, etc.:
- Over tightening clamps can actually squeeze out too
much glue. Until I read that, I always squeeeezed out everything
I could withing reason. In my defense, nothing has ever come
apart over the years
- By over tightening the clamps, it makes the wood walk around when
trying to clamp for that perfect, no-sand joint. This makes it more
difficult to accurately place the pieces. To me this is a technique
issue
though, at least on some cases. But, one thing I thought was
accurate
was the observation that over tightened clamps will allow the wood to
rest in place while you finish, and then (especially with the glues
with
long open times) move around later. I have personally had this
happen
many times and make it a habit to check on my glue ups about 20
minutes after the last clamp is set. Most of the time, nothing, but
sometimes an adjustment is needed
- Not gluing both sides of the material. I have seen many articles
and tests since then that also said it was good to wipe your
surfaces with a damp cloth before glueing as it would keep
the initial contact point of the glue from drying out when the
dry wood sucks out the immediately available moisture. Makes
sense to me, but I still don't do it.
- Not enough clamps used. The obvious conclusion is that even
pressure across a surface by frequently deployed clamps is
better than clamping the snot out of surfaces with the clamps
few and far between. An adjunct to this was inconsistent clamping
pressure by using all different manner of clamps in the shop
(guilty as charged)
> > Som*****... why did I have to pay $10??? I was robbed!!
>
> Rich neighborhood? ;~)
LMAO! Got a good snort out of that one!
> > Actually, anytime I could pay $10 for a decent 36" clamp, I'll take
> > it.
>
> I would have done the same Robert.
I have about 80 clamps now, some are just heavy enough to get the
done (my little Rockler aluminum bars clamps), pipe clamps that are
probably 30 years old, some ratcheting bar clamps from the '20 - 30's
that were used by an old furniture maker (estate sale find), squeeze
clamps I keep in my truck to hold things while I attach or quick glue
a project, C clamps, etc., etc. And yet, if they go on sale
somewhere at
a great price again, I will buy more.
I have never been sorry about buying more clamps. The only clamps
I have I don't use are my 52" Besseys. I know I will use them again
sometime, but I don't know when. I bought them when making a "farm
table" top, and paid $65 a piece for them plus tax. I have used them
once.
I had a friend in the hill country that for a while had a furniture
shop. After touring his setup and admiring his tools, he was annoyed
with me for mentioning the fact he actually (I mean literally!) had
much more money tied up in his Bessey collection of clamps than he did
his table saw.
It is kinda strange, isn't it?
Robert
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