Protecting Clamps from Glue

I haven’t seen the video but if you are using pipe clamps and clamping Oak, you should protect the wood. The black pipe and glue will cause the Oak to turn black. I have even had some slight reaction with galvanized pipes. If the glue hardens on the pipe, a paint scraper removes it.

wax paper is a good idea ( or anything else that will cover the clamps for that matter).

I think with production videos like FWW and the likes, they are trying to keep focus on the matter at hand – which is making the bed (posts) and don’t want to overload the viewers with too much extra information… it varies depending on the producer and content, but sometimes that’s the reason… other times – it’s cause they didn’t think about it. :)

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

The wax paper is a good idea. I also use painter’s tape on my Bessey’s when clamping panels. Another thing that is recommended, but that I have had mixed results with, is to put a coat of wax on the clamps after cleaning them.

The only thing that I have found to clean the dried glue off is to scrape it with a putty knife. It only sticks to the metal but it comes off without a lot of elbow grease.

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

Some great advice here so far. If you want to see the video version, check out the second half of this video

I’ve used blue tape and wax on my clamps with great success. The wax isn’t for pipe clamps or those irwin quick-grip style clamps though, only for those with teeth on the bars (bar clamps, parallel clamps). About a 1 1/2” putty knife is your best friend when it comes to removing glue.

-- Steve -- University Heights, Ohio

I usually dont use anything to protect the clamps from glue. I usually find that the wood glue just peels or scrapes right off the clamps once its dried.

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

Stick with the waxed paper.

-- Don, Pittsburgh