Sliding Glue Joints

The problem is the amount of glue. I’m not saying you use too much. But, what’s happening is you are putting forces on the joint and until you squeeze out the excess glue, the glue acts as a lubricant. If the forces are not matched and/or your joint is not perfect, it will go astray.

The only way I’ve found to avoid this problem is by using CA and an accelerant. Assuming, of course, it works in the situation in which you’re gluing.

The simple answer is yes…you’re not alone.

-- arborial reconfiguration specialist

I am with Catspaw on this one, use a glue and accelerant, we have all benn there, the pieces just don’t want to stay togther. Another thing you could do is apply some glue to the ends and rub the pieces back and fourth until it gets hard to move them, this will make it harder for the pieces to move on their own, this works on some applications but not all, in any case the glue combined with the accelerant is the better option.

-- A hammer dangling from a wall will bang and sound like work when the wind blows the right way.

I’ve had the same problem. I’m probably stating the obvious, but I’ve found that the clamps must be squared to the joint. If they are angled in any way, even slightly, they will slide the two boards against each other. The problem is simple; the angled clamp will try to pull things in line until there is the shortest possible distance between the two clamping faces. The only solution is to loosen the clamps, straighten them out, then reclamp, or place additional clamps pulling slightly in the other direction to counteract the forces.

-- Dale Manning, Carthage, NY

OK all of us have this problem at times. I tap a few small brads into the main piece and then clip them off about 1/16th long. Apply the glue to the trim piece and press it into place, then clamp. The tiny little pieces of the brads are sealed inside for no show, and keep the pieces from sliding out of line.

-- Dan-- Info for all @ http://www.hoistman.com

Thanks to all of you for your responses.

Dan, I was thinking of that only I never thought of putting them into the main piece. I was thinking to use a small brad and hopefully fill the hole after it set up, but your idea really makes sense. I am going to give it a try. You may have just saved a few more hairs on the top of my head.

Catspaw…..I’m going to show my ignorance here, but what is CA and where and under what name do you find “Accelerants”?

-- Wood is a gift from God/Nature that maintains its beauty forever via the hand of a woodworker.

I use The same approach as Dan. Some times you can let the glue partially set and get sticky and it doesn’t slide

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

here’s another one:

spread the glue on your trim/frame, then take a piece of sand paper, and rub it against itself over the glue, it’ll spread some of the abrasive material on the glue. now when you apply pressure, the abrasive dust creates friction, and helps contain the parts from moving about.

hope this helps.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.