Lessons Learned

I hear ya, Rocko! All excellent points.

What were you gluing up?

My first mortise was done when I was building my workbench. This was before I knew what a sharp chisel was. The chisel I was using was probably duller than a ball point pen. Needless to say, the inside mortise walls looked like a live edge when I was done.

-- Optimists are usually disappointed. Pessimists are either right or pleasantly surprised. I tend to be a disappointed pessimist.

I was gluing up the breadboard ends on a coffee table. I’ll have pictures to post soon.

-Rocko

-- -> Malta, IL -<

Sometimes it helps to put the clamps on during the dry fit. That will help you figure out if the clamps you have will be sufficient.

Keep it up, practice makes perfect.

Use Titebond Extend. It dries slower so you have more time to fit your pieces. If you cannot find it locally you can get it from Rockler for $23.84 a gallon.

Tips To Speed Up Gluing
1. Dry fit everything first before you glue.
2. Figure out what clamps you need to do each operation.
3. Open the clamps you are using almost to the size you need.
4. Have the clamps you need ready and sitting close to where you are assembling.
5. If you can glue a sub assembly up in two steps instead of one, do so.
Example: I am building a crib now and I want to glue up the end assemblies. There is a top board, bottom board, slats and legs. Step1: Glue the slats, top and bottom boards together. Step2: Take that sub assembly when dry and glue the legs on.
6. Have a bowl ready with water and rag to clean up excess glue.
7. Have a big enough area to work in and clear all the junk out of the way.

Yes my son, it is a known fact among woodworkers that “There is never enough clamps” and be prepared to hear from your wife say “Are you SURE you need all those clamps?”

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

thanks for the tips. apparently once people buy clamps they keep them for life, I keep watching craigslist but rarely see any clamps. lots of table saws! especially craftsman!

-- Derek, Iowa

HF Clamps work okay until you’re able to build up your collection of more expensive (and durable) clamps. I even have a few that have remained in service after three years.