Fine Woodworking Articles On Glue And Joints

[RestorationAD]

We have talked about this "ad nauseam" but these are a good read even for veterans.

Fine Woodworking Different Clamping Pressure for Different wood

Fine Woodworking The right number of clamps

Fine Woodworking Positioning the Clamps

[RestorationAD]

Recommended Clamping Pressure

(pounds per square inch)

glue face

Wood Type Quatersawn Flatsawn

Sugar Maple 600 1,200

Red Oak 450 900

Black Walnut 300 600

Black Cherry 250 500

Ponderosa Pine 300 150

Force applied by clamp type

(depends on strength of individual)

Clamp Pressure

Parallel Jaw Clamp 370 lb.

Quick-Grip Clamp 470 lb.

Aluminum Bar Clamp 680 lb.

3/4-in. Pipe Clamp 1,050 lb.

"I"-Beam Bar Clamp 1,350 lb.

[chops1983]

Thanks for the info Restor. I always knew that to much pressure was just as important than not enough, but i did not realize it would be hard to reach too much pressure with regular woodworking clamps. Also the number of clamps was an interesting one, I always see on this site guys with 50 clamps hanging off their guitar bodies when they're gluing their tops down. Ive had success with using up to a dozen clamps so i always thought it was silly, but depending on the clamp you need x amount to reach the pressures stated above. I generally try to use cauls to spread clamp pressure as i don't have many clamps at hand, but i will definately go buy some more.

Cheers,

Chad.

[RestorationAD]

Thanks for the info Restor. I always knew that to much pressure was just as important than not enough, but i did not realize it would be hard to reach too much pressure with regular woodworking clamps. Also the number of clamps was an interesting one, I always see on this site guys with 50 clamps hanging off their guitar bodies when they're gluing their tops down. Ive had success with using up to a dozen clamps so i always thought it was silly, but depending on the clamp you need x amount to reach the pressures stated above. I generally try to use cauls to spread clamp pressure as i don't have many clamps at hand, but i will definately go buy some more.

Cheers,

Chad.

So I still see many articles that talk about starving joints with too much pressure. While I think it is possible to do it ( I have a lot of 12" clamps ) it might not be as likely as I thought.

It also scientifically confirmed what I already suspected. It is a pain in the rear to join HARD woods with a clean joint.

[low end fuzz]

i still think alot of clamps is a great thing; what you should take from that is the more clamps you add the less tightening each clamp should get; cause i love to make sure theres a clamp for every 2-3"