Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips > Glue etc.

holding wood together while glue sets

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roycv:
Hi all, envious as I am of the superb building skills of many of our members I notice that photos during construction have spring clamps and many of them.
You will get a far superior joint with a screw or lever type clamp.

This was brought home to me some years ago when I found I had made a mistake in the early construction of a hull and I had to remove a 30 inch length of wood and turn it over.  This had been held in place along its length by a series of clamps until dry.
Anyway the glue was dry and the outer parts came away fairly easilly by inserting a knife blade along the joint.
As there was more room in the middle section I had used screw clamps.  The joint there was permanent and I ended up just cutting the wood away and sanding down.  Had to make another piece up to fit.

Now I still use spring clamps and they are cheap but I just buy screw or lever pressure clamps now.
Perhaps do your own experiment and see for yourself. 
I cannot say that it is twice or more as strong, it is just one comes apart and the other does not.
Best regards Roy

nemesis:
do not know the glue you were using but I have no trouble with epoxy or polyester. nemesis

grendel:
for spring clamps I use those bulldog clip type, plenty strong, but most of my work is done using old fashioned G clamps, I have about 40 1" ones, and even some deep reach ones for certain uses.

roycv:
Hi,if my memory serves I was using an aliphatic resin glue,  I do not tend to use epoxy on wood. My point is best illustrated with a small test piece.
I find a strong PVA glue very good on wood.  I buy some that comes in a tin I think from B & Q.
I figure that if the glue joint is as strong as the wood that is enough, sanding could be an issue.
regards Roy

tigertiger:
I do other woodwork, and never buy less than a quart of PVA at a time, it is really cheap that way. It lasts for years, providing you keep it in a closed bottle or tub. I just fill up old glue bottles from the tub. I have used Gorrila glue, but to be honest, it is probably overkill, as a PVA glue joint (on the long grain) is stronger than the original wood (as mentioned above). On end grain, I will reinforce with splines or biscuits.
Clamping does not need a lot of pressure, but screw clamps would help the glue get into the fibers. The other important thing is a smooth finish on both pieces. I guess if the surfaces are rough then Gorilla glue will come into its own as the slight foaming would reach into all of the crevices.
The grab time for PVA is 5 mins, and it goes off in 30 mins, fully dry in 24 hours. One good thing about PVA is that it is water soluble. You can wipe off excess with a wet rag, and you can extend grab time by 5 mins if you add 5% water.


Sorry if I am teaching anyone how to suck eggs.

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