Many woodworkers lack confidence in their glue joints. The way to overcome this is by getting to know your products and materials. This is accomplished by experimenting and testing – particularly through destructive testing.
I continually test my off-cuts from every project. This provides a form of quality control testing that is specific to each project.
In this video I show a couple of the methods that I use to test my glue joints. Testing your joints to the point of wood failure will give you quite a bit of information. Close examination of the results will allow you to understand if you may suffer product failure in your project or if your woodworking techniques are falling short.
I advise caution when testing wood to the point of failure, but these methods are quite safe and easily controlled. Share the Love~Share the Knowledge
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com

















29 comments so far
Craftsman on the lake
home | projects | blog
2020 posts in 1605 days
#1 posted 1481 days ago
This was pretty cool. I always know that my joints are tough but when you send something out of the shop, maybe never to be seen again you always still keep your fingers crossed. Thanks.
-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://gagnerwebsite.com/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html
Scott Bryan
home | projects | blog
27262 posts in 1990 days
#2 posted 1481 days ago
Thanks for the video, Todd. I have always been reluctant to toss offcuts from my glue-ups and have wondered at times what to do with them. Like most of us here I have simply tossed them into my several offcut bins hoping to find a use for them down the road. This looks like an excellent use for these pieces.
Thanks for sharing this idea.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
Peter Oxley
home | projects | blog
1423 posts in 2042 days
#3 posted 1481 days ago
Great video Todd!
If you’ve ever had to disassemble a glued-up project, you really start to recognize the strength of the glue. You just can’t plan on re-using the parts because the workpieces break before the glue.
The only time I’ve had glue failure is when the glue was applied at very low temperatures.
-- http://www.peteroxley.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --
Junji
home | projects | blog
698 posts in 1550 days
#4 posted 1481 days ago
Todd,
Thank you for your useful information. Testing is the most important! This is true not only for glue joints.
-- Junji Sugita from Japan, http://tetra.blog12.fc2.com/
gjd
home | projects | blog
18321 posts in 1820 days
#5 posted 1481 days ago
Very informative and useful. Thanks.
-- gjd Southcentral Wisconsin
Greg Wurst
home | projects | blog
769 posts in 2000 days
#6 posted 1481 days ago
Great video, and a great way to test your product without destroying it. Using cutoffs from the actual product is an excellent idea.
-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.
cabinetmaster
home | projects | blog
10874 posts in 1726 days
#7 posted 1481 days ago
Some very useful information there Todd. Thanks for the info.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
gbear
home | projects | blog
327 posts in 2267 days
#8 posted 1481 days ago
Good information Todd but I would say you don’t even have to go to the point of breaking the wood.
When you have added enough pressure to cause the wood to severly bow…that should be adequate and safe for testing purposes.
-- gbear, Carmichael, CA
TopamaxSurvivor
home | projects | blog
13192 posts in 1844 days
#9 posted 1481 days ago
Thanks for the ideas and video. Guess I’m going to have to put you on the buddy list so I don’t miss these ;-))
-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence Wake Up America!! Please read; http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0
Todd A. Clippinger
home | projects | blog
8654 posts in 2267 days
#10 posted 1481 days ago
Gbear- You’re probably right. I just can’t help myself, I have to break it.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
Don K.
home | projects | blog
1075 posts in 1494 days
#11 posted 1481 days ago
Great video and Idea Todd, Thanks.
-- Don S.E. OK
Russel
home | projects | blog
2199 posts in 2107 days
#12 posted 1480 days ago
Good information and great video. Your presentations are highly pragmatic and very personable. When will we be seeing you on TV?
-- Working at Woodworking http://www.VillageLaneFurniture.com
snowdog
home | projects | blog
1115 posts in 2150 days
#13 posted 1480 days ago
What they said :) thanks for the vid. Nise production
I knew the glue would hold but never saw it tested. I am armed now with real information from observation. I love it.
Do you have your vids posted at a higher resolution anywhere? Just a suggestion but I appreciate when I can choose between low and hi res feeds.
-- "so much to learn and so little time"..
Mario
home | projects | blog
902 posts in 2219 days
#14 posted 1480 days ago
Great job, I would love to see more like it.
Thanks.
-- Hope Never fails
Todd A. Clippinger
home | projects | blog
8654 posts in 2267 days
#15 posted 1480 days ago
Thanks Russel and everyone else for the encouragement.
I plan on doing more videos in the future. It can be difficult since they take a lot of time and having my own business is a bit demanding too. But I certainly have plans!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 29 comments
Have your say...