What the best time for clamping wood is?

[Luperez548]

When you are joining lumbers, after aplying glue you clamp it for a while. What the best time is befor releasing clamps? thanks

[oldhudson]

16 hours ago, Luperez548 said:

When you are joining lumbers, after aplying glue you clamp it for a while. What the best time is befor releasing clamps? thanks

Basically my response is based on the use of yellow wood glue, in my case Titebond II, a pva type glue.

I always answer that question in a couple of ways to cover my you know what. First, follow the instructions of the manufacturer. Second, it depends on the glue surface area and humidity. I just glued a handle on a wooden cup. This was a repair for a customer. Because the glue area was tiny I let it set up 24 hours near a heat register. But if I were clamping two boards together to make a panel I'd probably stop at a couple of hours. 

It seems like a lot of folks these days pull the clamps when the squeeze out skins over  but is still soft so they can scrape off the squeeze out. I'm of the school that tries to wipe the excess off when the clamps are tightened. I've heard woodworkers says that wiping off the squeeze out with a damp cloth weakens the joint, but I've only had one fail so????  

If the wood were especially oily (tropical woods like Cocobolo). I'd go longer and I'd prepare the surface by wiping it down denatured alcohol. My failed glue joint was a hand made smoothing plane. The body was Maple and the sole was Lignum Vitae. 

Just my 2¢

Edited April 25, 2018 by oldhudson

[new2woodwrk]

It also depends what you are planning to do.

For example, when I make frames, I let the Titebond (yellow) site for at least an hour before removing the clamps. Sometimes, I'll let it sit for 2 just in case.

I then add the finish nails to keep it together.

However, I've made coffee tables that I had to let it sit for 2-3 hours because there was no finish nailing, only glue to hold it together

In addition, you probably know this already, but when you glue two pieces of wood together, if rub them slightly together a few times, you will "feel" them join.  IMO, the glue does a better job of holding when you do this.

 

[Luperez548]

3 hours ago, oldhudson said:

Basically my response is based on the use of yellow wood glue, in my case Titebond II, a pva type glue.

I always answer that question in a couple of ways to cover my you know what. First, follow the instructions of the manufacturer. Second, it depends on the glue surface area and humidity. I just glued a handle on a wooden cup. This was a repair for a customer. Because the glue area was tiny I let it set up 24 hours near a heat register. But if I were clamping two boards together to make a panel I'd probably stop at a couple of hours. 

It seems like a lot of folks these days pull the clamps when the squeeze out skins over  but is still soft so they can scrape off the squeeze out. I'm of the school that tries to wipe the excess off when the clamps are tightened. I've heard woodworkers says that wiping off the squeeze out with a damp cloth weakens the joint, but I've only had one fail so????  

If the wood were especially oily (tropical woods like Cocobolo). I'd go longer and I'd prepare the surface by wiping it down denatured alcohol. My failed glue joint was a hand made smoothing plane. The body was Maple and the base was Lignum Vitae. 

Just my 2¢

You have contributed to help to see through the open window, I never notice that, thanks for your comments

Edited April 25, 2018 by Luperez548

[Luperez548]

2 hours ago, new2woodwrk said:

It also depends what you are planning to do.

For example, when I make frames, I let the Titebond (yellow) site for at least an hour before removing the clamps. Sometimes, I'll let it sit for 2 just in case.

I then add the finish nails to keep it together.

However, I've made coffee tables that I had to let it sit for 2-3 hours because there was no finish nailing, only glue to hold it together

In addition, you probably know this already, but when you glue two pieces of wood together, if rub them slightly together a few times, you will "feel" them join.  IMO, the glue does a better job of holding when you do this.

 

Thanks for your contribution. This issue has been in my to do list in order to get a better understanding of glue setting. I have jointed some boards today, using 5 dowels un 75 cm and 3 hours clamping. I will use these wood to be used as bottom part in the sushi boats.

[tomsteve]

On 4/24/2018 at 6:38 PM, new2woodwrk said:

]

In addition, you probably know this already, but when you glue two pieces of wood together, if rub them slightly together a few times, you will "feel" them join.  IMO, the glue does a better job of holding when you do this.

 

excellent tip here. 

also, when glueing end grain, i like to brush/spread some thinned glue on the end grain and let it sit a bit to soak into the endgrain. wipe off excess after a couple minutes, apply full strength glue and assemble.

[WayneG]

tite bond III is my glue of choice and it cures quickly, it says 20 minutes but I like to give it 60 minutes. At that point its like concrete and solid