A Better Way to Glue Up Thin Wood Panels

Gluing up panels is an essential skill. However, when the pieces get thinner, the normal techniques don't often work as well. Phil Huber shares two approaches that are sure to help you get flat panels without a lot of hassle.
You can find more details to construct the clamping jig here: www.woodsmith.com/article/a-better-way-to-glue-up-thin-wood-panels/
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[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

You can find more details to construct the clamping jig here: www.woodsmith.com/article/a-better-way-to-glue-up-thin-wood-panels/

[@MattrsMore]

Phil, of all the woodworking video's I've ever seen, no one has ever been more right or honest in saying, on a snowy cold December morning, that unheated garage shop might not be the place to be. Lol, appreciated that.

[@oldwolfswoodshop]

Absolutely love this jig. Made the jig yesterday, used it today, worked like a charm. Awesome, thank you.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Glad it helped!

[@timothydaniels504]

Thank you for sharing these ideas. The assembly board/ wedge idea is brilliant and exactly what I was looking for.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hansdegroot8549]

That clamping board is a great. I've never seen that before Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Glad to help!

[@rolandkuhn9066]

Just made that clamping board. Added a few more dowel holes to glue up a couple small thin box tops and 1/4"stuff. Great tip, works well

[@clemmcguinness1087]

Love dowel wedge technique. Thanks

[@JusBidniss]

Never seen the wedges, but looks like a good idea. It occurs to me if the plastic ones are hard to find, they could also be shop made from wood and covered with packing tape. However, my preferred method is to use good old shop made cauls (slightly curved boards positioned above and below, curves pointed toward the panel and each other, positioned across the boards of the panel at a right angle and clamped on their ends, so that the clamping flattens their spring pressure against the panel). And there are some videos out there to make a good set with cutting or planing a precision curve, but I've always just used boards I already had on hand that have a slight warpage to them (rip strips from the same curved board, to have the same curve above and below, for equal pressure on the panel). If you buy enough cheap (non-kiln-dried) pine boards, and have some left over from the last project, you'll already have a few of these 'pretzels' right there in your wood storage, just begging to be covered with packing tape and clamped onto your next panel glue-up to keep things flat.

[@richardlehoucq9821]

Hold off on the glue. Place a length of melamine underneath the boards and then align the planks. Slowly tighten two clamps underneath (at each end). Now apply blue tape across the seams and press on firmly. Now loosen the clamps, and apply glue. Since you now have an accordion of planks (held together by the blue tape), hang each plank over a table top. Reclamp the planks and if you've jointed a good fit and applied the blue tape firmly, two clamps suffice. A nice bonus is that the blue tape prevents glue from squeezing out on the tape side, which I typically make the show side of the panel. This is works on planks as thin as 1/8".

[@rblues4u]

I put one together the other day and got to use it today gluing 1/2" thick two pieces 4" wide 23" long. Was really surprised to see the squeeze out just slightly bumping the wedges. It was nice not to pull out the clamps to do this.

[@Farroutman1]

Great advice! Thank you for the helpful information!

[@digitalinstructor2361]

This was great! I’m getting ready to install antique yardsticks in a 5 ft x 6ft area on my office ceiling. Trying to figure out a good strategy. I want those aluminum clamps!!! :)

[@alanross3435]

Well done bro!🔨✌🏻️

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Thanks!

[@fadimrms8379]

Good idea, thank you for sharing this video

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it.

[@georgiemae11]

Gr8 tips,nice video

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Thanks!

[@neuroradguy]

Does anyone know who manufactures the clamps you are using. I love the look of them. Also like the plastic shim technique.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Those are Dubuque Aluminum Bar Clamps available from Lee Valley Tools and other fine retailers.

[@neuroradguy]

@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine thank you so much

[@chaserozelle9936]

Thanks

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

You're welcome!

[@rocketwontoo5073]

I like the Hi Tech phone you have in the shop!!!

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

LOL - Thanks! The panel actually flips up to reveal that it's actually a touchtone phone. A little late 1900's upgrade for those that still have a landline. :)

[@tombeechmont2380]

What glue do u recommend. I'm joining some 5mm huon pine boards. Huon pine us v close grained and oily In the past I've used 2 part epoxy. The other is Pvaglue

[@SR60119]

I wish you guys would add links to the tools you use sometimes.

[@Stoneforth]

great video

[@johnboy3100]

What brand are the metal clamps please? Never seen these before..

[@johnisley1285]

What brand of clamps are you using ?

[@BobGarrett66]

Nice job. What brand are those aluminum clamps?

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Those are Dubuque Aluminum Bar Clamps.

[@BobGarrett66]

@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine Awesome! Thanks.

[@ordinaryguy6869]

I have lots of scrapers, but not a carbide one like that. Where can I get one like that?

[@SteveBueche1027]

Save the wax paper from a cereal box. Cover your clamps or work surface. No glue issue. Kregg round plates clamps will solve the plank level issues as well.

[@andrewdennison5700]

Great idea. I've been wasting my money using my wife's fresh wax paper.

[@Michael-wv5ul]

That's why your supposed to alternate your clamps from top to bottom. To stop the panel from buckling. However, I like you wedge technique, but concern about glue squeeze out on the bottom not being able to wipe off while wet

[@Bart_Depestele]

nice video, the audio sounds a bit strange

[@JSCRocketScientist]

The clamps look like they might be Dubuque aluminum bar clamps from Lee Valley Tools.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

That is correct!

[@tylerpeters1181]

That was some solid judgemental eyes at "you do have a carbide scraper in your shop, right?"

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

LOL... yeah, that was definitely the vibe. :)

[@keithbryan8432]

If I am right handed, can I drive in the (wooden) wedges from the other direction? LOL

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

We will have to do further testing, but I'm pretty sure it's safe to use from the right side as well. ;)

[@farmboy5129]

this came out about 8 hours too late for me. I have some planing ahead of me I could have avoided.

[@alexeyorlov9639]

These are not thin . I use 1/4 thick planks.