One of the toughest aspects of edge-to-edge gluing is clamping the work pieces together, and C-clamps and bar clamps often cause the pieces to buckle. The solution is a guide that aids a pair of clamps to hold the pieces securely. Edge clamps act as an accessory to clamps. You can purchase them or make them at home, following these steps: Materials:
2' x 1' x 3/4" red oak
Table saw
Push stick
6"-long piece of 2" x 2" white oak
Wood glue
Electric sander
Four 6" carriage bolts
Wing nuts with washers
- Cut the red oak into eight strips, each measuring 1 1/2" by 24", using a table saw (figure A). Guide the wood through the blade with a push stick.
- Cut the 6" piece of 2" by 2" white oak into 12 small squares ( figure B). The thickness of the squares is determined by the size of the carriage bolt.
- Glue three small squares of white oak to one red-oak strip--one square on either end and one in the middle (figure C). Repeat the process for three more strips of red oak and the remaining nine squares of white oak. Let the glue dry.
- Glue the remaining four strips of red oak to the tops of the squares glued to the first four strips. (figure D). Allow time for the glue to dry.
- Use a disc sander to round off the edges of the red oak (figure E).
- To use the jig, place two of the wood strips underneath the work pieces, on either side. Place the other two wood strips directly above the bottom strips, on top of the work pieces. Insert carriage bolts and wing nuts through the slots between white oak squares (figure F). The carriage bolts should be positioned at the ends of the work pieces. Tighten the nuts to hold the pieces together.
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