LumberJocks
DAILY DEALS Cast Iron Coffee Mill Mechanisms and Coffee Mill Well Kits, with FREE Downloadable Plan!  |  Makita Makita Recon LCT203W 10.8 Volt Lithium Ion Impact Driver 2 Pc Kit

Shop Skills #4: Trusting Your Glue Joints

Blog entry by Todd A. Clippinger posted 208 days ago 1000 reads 3 times favorited 27 comments Add to Favorites Watch
« Part 3: Sharpening Card Scrapers - The Lost Scene... Part 4 of Shop Skills series Part 5: Using Toner to Add or Change Color »

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://amcraftsman.com


27 comments so far

View Craftsman on the lake's profile

Craftsman on the lake

817 posts in 332 days


posted 208 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://web.me.com/deceiver6/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

20668 posts in 717 days


posted 208 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.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View Peter O's profile

Peter O

1021 posts in 769 days


posted 208 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.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

View Junji's profile

Junji

510 posts in 277 days


posted 208 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/

View Bureaucrat's profile

Bureaucrat

7257 posts in 547 days


posted 208 days ago

Very informative and useful. Thanks.

-- Gary, South Central Wisconsin. So much to learn, so little time!

View Greg Wurst's profile

Greg Wurst

716 posts in 727 days


posted 208 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.

View cabinetmaster's profile

cabinetmaster

8564 posts in 453 days


posted 208 days ago

Some very useful information there Todd. Thanks for the info.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

View gbear's profile

gbear

103 posts in 994 days


posted 208 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

View TopamaxSurvivor's profile (online now)

TopamaxSurvivor

3025 posts in 571 days


posted 208 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 ;-))

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5644 posts in 994 days


posted 208 days ago

Gbear- You’re probably right. I just can’t help myself, I have to break it.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

View Don K.'s profile

Don K.

1095 posts in 221 days


posted 208 days ago

Great video and Idea Todd, Thanks.

-- Don S.E. OK

View Russel's profile

Russel

2058 posts in 834 days


posted 207 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 www.VillageLaneFurniture.com

View snowdog's profile

snowdog

808 posts in 877 days


posted 207 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"..

View Mario's profile

Mario

882 posts in 946 days


posted 207 days ago

Great job, I would love to see more like it.

Thanks.

-- Hope Never fails

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5644 posts in 994 days


posted 207 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://amcraftsman.com

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7036 posts in 1194 days


posted 207 days ago

Thanks Todd,

I’ve always had excellent success with my glue ups.

I have many projects that are 40 years old, when all I had for glue was Elmer’s white glue.

With the choices of glue they have nowadays, I have a lot more faith than ever.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5644 posts in 994 days


posted 207 days ago

Thanks for the input Dick.

I use Titebond the most, but I trust all of the manufacturers. Titebond is what my main supplier carries and is the most widely available glue at the hardware stores.

I want the other LJ members to know that the other brands are good and I did not want it to seem like an exclusive endorsement for Titebond.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7036 posts in 1194 days


posted 207 days ago

I’ve tried quite a few different brands with good results.

Most of the time, I buy what’s on sale, & by the gallon.

I haven’t had any problem with glue I’ve had for a long time either.

I guess it makes a difference where you keep it stored.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

View Dusty56's profile (online now)

Dusty56

3466 posts in 583 days


posted 207 days ago

Another great quality video full of useful information , Todd . Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to share with us : )

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

View chadb's profile

chadb

12 posts in 224 days


posted 207 days ago

Todd awesome video! I really enjoyed it. You act like an old movie star :) Great Job!

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5644 posts in 994 days


posted 207 days ago

Brian – I know what you mean and the article seems to offer a very logical and valid point.

I have talked to a couple of furniture makers here in town and discussed this very issue because I have read the same article. I have examined several restaurant style tables that the local shops have made and I know the makers.

Nobody I know personally is using this technique and none of the tables that I have seen developed cracks the way that the article indicated. These tables are several years old and get abused all of the time.

I simply jointed the wood and glued it up. I may find out the hard way – only time will tell.

I would be interested in hearing feedback from anybody that uses the technique and finds that it is actually better.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

View jwarner75's profile

jwarner75

251 posts in 369 days


posted 206 days ago

Todd: Great Video dude… You been pumping them out like Crazy… I’ve not had the time to do anymore… Been low on resources and the likes.. but hopefully soon!

Handi

-- Jimmy "Handi" Warner, http://jwarner75.etsy.com, http://handisworkshop.blogspot.com

View a1Jim's profile (online now)

a1Jim

16815 posts in 472 days


posted 205 days ago

Well done great idea

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

View Blake's profile

Blake

2757 posts in 769 days


posted 203 days ago

Good video, Todd. This is something I don’t think I would have ever thought to do. Interesting results too.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

14922 posts in 746 days


posted 198 days ago

Great blog, thanks Todd.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View Joe Lyddon's profile

Joe Lyddon

485 posts in 947 days


posted 67 days ago

Yes, very helpful & informative!

Good job!

Thank you.

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"

View Mark Shymanski's profile

Mark Shymanski

1555 posts in 607 days


posted 62 days ago

Great information. Thanks!

-- ...it's rennovation time!!!

You must be signed in to post the comments.

  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase