I don't know if this will benefit this discussion, but here it is:
My first woodworking project was in 2003, a project out of Wood Magazine, a country step back hutch, all pine with double doors top and bottom. At the time, I didn't own ANY clamps. I did all my glue ups using boards or plywood with stop blocks and small wooden wedges to apply pressure. All materials came from the big box store (where S4S pine cost me more than sawmill cherry, by the way) so as you can imagine all boards were standard 1 Xs.
This hutch is still in use, abused by 4 grandchildren going to it constantly for their soda and fruit drinks ( the bottom houses a small counter top refrigerator), and the top has wine glasses and a wine rack, for entertaining in our game room. It remains in tip top shape, nary a single glue joint has yet to fail.
How much pressure did I apply with this method of clamping?, can't say, but I did go through a lot of Titebond.
Hope this helps with the discussion,
Have a great day …..