Clamp Wood in Odd Shapes with Vector Clamping | Woodworking Furniture Restoration How To

How do you clamp wood in odd shapes to get enough pressure for the wood glue to bond? The answer is something called “vector clamping”. This is a process of making a clamping pad or caul so the clamp applies pressure to the wood joint properly.
For wood glue to bond effectively, it needs:
- clean wood surfaces
- the joint can’t have gaps
- it needs an appropriate amount of glue applied (it should squeeze out when clamped)
- and a moderate amount of pressure using clamps
All four of these elements are needed. Without clamping pressure, wood glue won’t work properly and the joint will fail prematurely. Making a caul for clamping may seem like a lot of extra work, but once you’ve done it a few times, you’ll be able to do it in minutes.
The first step is making a clamping pad or caul is to select a piece of softwood (pine, spruce, cedar, etc). Then trace the part on the softwood and cut it out. With the caul now matching the odd shaped part, determine where to cut out recesses so the clamp face is parallel to the wood joint you’re looking to clamp. You will likely also need to cut recesses to clamp the caul to the odd shaped part to provide tension for the primary clamp.
Once you’ve got your clamps tested out and working. It’s just like any other glue up. Apply a liberal amount of wood glue to all surfaces, assemble them, and clamp them together using the cauls. Wipe off the excess glue and let the glue up dry.
Here are links to some of the tools we used for this chair repair:
Woodpeckers try square - amzn.to/2XSTOML
Padded woodworking clamps - amzn.to/2UKHjRa
Note: purchases made with these links fund our video production
Fixing Furniture is not only a KZbin channel but it's also a membership community. Get access to videos before they're published on KZbin, watch all the videos without ads, get downloadable reference sheets, and participate in Fixing Furniture Live every two weeks. Learn more about membership at www.fixingfurn...
OUR NEWSLETTER - Sign up at www.fixingfurn...
See the tools we use in our workshop and the tools we recommend: www.amazon.com...
🇨🇦 Canadian link - www.amazon.ca/...
This video is hosted by Scott Bennett, Owner of Wooden It Be Nice - Furniture Repair in Brooklin, Ontario, Canada. WoodenItBeNice.ca
#vectorclamping #woodworking #clamping

[@decuevas244]

"Vector clamping" wow!!! So much knowledge has been lost, about everything. I got into carpentry in 1986. Started out learning framing, or how to build a house. Then I gravitated to finish carpentry. After back surgery in 2001, i fell in love with woodworking! Had i known, i would've been able to save my body from the unrelenting trama carpentry eventually produces, or better said, "garuntees"! Lol, not too funny though. Theres stuff I have learned throughout my life in the business, but as in any profession, there is more that i dont know, so much more to learn... Im so greatful to have found you, your channel!!! Thank you so much! Its almost like finding someone in a far away place that speaks your language!!! You had me on the first video i watched. It was a roll top desk. Every time i watch another video of yours, im learning something!!! Aahhhhhhh! A student of the trade, for life, 66carpenter

[@ricktruett166]

Thank you. This helped me clamp a round-back chair.

[@FixingFurniture]

That’s great to hear. Thanks for sharing that! Scott

[@johnjackson9767]

Fantastic video. Thanks!

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome John. Cheers. Scott

[@robertcepelak7687]

You’ve simplified a bugaboo I’ve dealt with for years. Thank you.

[@tedlym.3390]

Your clamping skills are quite clever. Thank you,

[@surfdogtrail]

This and all your videos are so helpful! I appreciate the calm editing style and clear explanations. Thank you :).

[@tinadriskell4469]

That makes so much sense. I am going to go use it today! I have SEVERAL things in weird angles that need to be clamped up this way.

[@bjaminf113]

Thank you!

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome!

[@gbb5112]

This is great information. Thank you for posting!

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@1stetson57]

Thank you!!! I made a Vector clamp for the rounded end of a Ukulele build that clamps would just slip and pull the side piece out of line. Very frustrating. Then I see your vid and came up with a solution! Thankyou again!!

[@markduykers6603]

Great video gents! Thanks very much for the tips - very informative!

[@garykorzelius5930]

I watch a lot of woodworking videos, and I know I said it before, I learn more from 1 or 2 of yours than I do in about 20 of the others. Please keep up the good work we really need a source of knowledge like this.

[@FixingFurniture]

Thank you. I appreciate that! Also, thanks for being a subscriber. Scott

[@davegreene3703]

@@FixingFurniture I agree with Gary K. This is the second video of yours I've watched. Clear, short and immensely helpful. Thank you!

[@FixingFurniture]

@@davegreene3703 you’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrisbellis4762]

This is truly an unbelievable video, I have learned more in ten minutes than I could believe possible. Thank for going to the trouble of producing it and so generously sharing it. Regards Chris

[@philipselman2564]

Hey Scott in canada = bin doing the victor clamping way for 50years didn't know it was called that thoe . realy like your posts on YOU -TUBE shoot fire I even read the comments each an every one. you can learn something from every one if you just take the time to listen thank you Sir

[@enochpage1333]

Never heard of vector clamping. You explained it well but lots of newbies will not understand where to make the cuts even if they remember how to strike the lines on the caul.

[@FixingFurniture]

Thanks for the feedback. Perhaps I should put some instruction together about this. Scott

[@Wish_I_Wood]

🤠 That was so Informative. I have been working with fixing and restoring furniture of all sizes and wish I had this knowledge for a few chairs I repaired. It will come in great use for the next one.

[@RobbyWurz]

Clear and concise. Excellent video, thank you 👍

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@haisamjab]

Thank you for your precision

[@kathrynnewton8721]

So useful - the wings could need more detail for me though - Thank you

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad you found it helpful. Scott

[@homeandgardendiy6363]

I am a new sub and am so happy to have found this particular video. I just bought an inexpensive, used pedestal table with four curved legs just like the table you show in your video. Until watching your instructions, I had absolutely no idea how to go about it. Even though I am a brand-spanking-new woodworker, I now feel confident that after a bit of practice on some other, easier projects, that I will be able to fix my little table. I think it is such a pretty little table, and I am so happy to feel that I might be able to repair it and give it another life. Thank you so much! -Cara

[@jloewenheim]

Great video. I think at times you can also drill holes in the cauls. These can be used to hold the jaws of the clamp, or to run a dowel through.

[@boblevey]

Brilliant

[@FixingFurniture]

Thank you Bob. Glad you liked it. Scott

[@decuevas244]

Watched your "roll top" repair, now this one one giues. Completely impressed!!! Thank you! I'm a life long fan now. With just 2 videos!! Lol Sincerely, 66carpenter

[@andrewFull]

Thank you vey much for this information. I was trying to figure out how to glue back a pedestal leg that came loose on my wife's antique table and I was stumped. Then I remembered your KZbin channel and did a search on clamping odd shapes. Your information was dead-on and I was able to get the leg glued back on with minimal effort.

[@michaelguirguis1418]

I enjoyed your video. Thank you. I am camping a headboard for my daughters twin bed (the wood cracked at the center top of it). I am looking for additional ideas of how to clamp it?

[@FixingFurniture]

I provide 1-on-1 Zoom sessions if you'd like me to look at it and provide you advice. Here's a link to our Advice Sessions woodenitbenice.ca/collections/woodworking-advice-sessions

[@josemanuelreirizrodriguez205]

I found it very interesting how to hold the oddly shaped wood with vector fastening. Good video.

[@roguepetunia]

Very helpful. I have 4 wobbly chairs with curved aprons and now I know how to clamp them! Thanks!

[@FixingFurniture]

Happy to help! I hope you subscribe. Cheers. Scott 🇨🇦

[@odeshel]

Such great videos! the best explained I've seen around(and I watched a lot :) ) A few days ago I have found a round apron chair in the garbage and I was breaking my head on how to clamp it…luckily I came across your Videos - Success is closer than ever 😊 I will try to repair it and send you some pictures. cheers, Oded

[@FixingFurniture]

Sounds great! Good luck with your repair. Scott

[@jameswalsh4056]

Thank you for your generous tutelage. Great solution to a common problem.

[@FixingFurniture]

Glad it was helpful James. Thanks for sharing your feedback. Scott

[@marciolangeani9992]

Thanks!

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome! Scott

[@Newport31311]

Great video! It's exactly what I need for my repairs I do. I've just been making do with the shapes I had to work with

[@FixingFurniture]

That's cool! Nice to hear this is helpful. Thanks for sharing this. Scott

[@kathrynnewton8721]

So useful, I encountered a problem when one of two triangles I was planning to join fell and broke in half. So also a problem to clamp?

[@danaowen9014]

Thats an amazing tip. We learn frim the best.

[@tootsietoyrestoration]

Perfect... just what I needed. Thanks so much!

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome! Scott

[@UBO58]

Thanks a lot for sharing this technique, which can be crucial for success or failure!

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome. Thanks for posting a comment. Scott

[@loramcclamrock5549]

Very clear helpful instruction. Thank you!!

[@kata3317]

Nice collaboration! I have some antique pieces that are in need of repair and these videos have been great boosting my confidence that I can do them myself!

[@FixingFurniture]

Great to hear! Good luck with your projects. Scott 🇨🇦

[@trekkiejunk]

Cool method, but what if you're like me, and just a guy in his apartment trying to fix his mid century nightstand leg that is connected at an angle? It's actually the bracket that connects two of the legs to the bottom. I have basic tools and a few clamps, but no wood cutting tools or anything like that.

[@dangthatscool1]

That's a great idea. Thank you for sharing. Question: You (and others I've been taught by) have used this 45 degree idea. Now, the clamp clearly does provide pressure beyond 45 degrees. Just try to separate the board at the far end from the clamp and you'll see that. The pressure is just lower the further you get from the direct clamping line. So where does this 45 degree notion come from and what does it really mean? Is it just a useful rule of thumb? Like -- overlap your clamps' "45 degree area of influence" and you'll always have enough pressure? Thank you!

[@rpc717]

That's what I took out of it - as a minimum, at least.

[@sergiohernandez4289]

Super professional. Gracias

[@FixingFurniture]

You're welcome! Scott

[@SimonKingsford]

Didn't solve my particular problem, but an excellent and informative video. Thanks.

[@FixingFurniture]

What's the problem you're looking to solve? Scott

[@tar4877]

I watched lots and lots of wood working materials. You're the best in techniques and its teaching. Salute from EGYPT.

[@FixingFurniture]

Wow, thank you! That's quite a complement. Thanks for sharing where you're from - your the first viewer to comment from Egypt. Thanks for your support. Scott

[@stewkingjr]

Often, the frames of chairs can be adequately clamped by using tiedown straps available at most hardware and big box stores pretty cheaply. Since you're not trying to hold anything to a trailer, the smaller ones are usually sufficient to exert the needed pressure. They are especially useful when assembling a whole chair frame. Just put some padding under any metal parts to protect the wood.

[@FixingFurniture]

Thanks for sharing that tip! Cheers. Scott

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@gav2759]

This is why you take it to a pro. Having a go with UHU, and not sussing out the clamping, will end in a skip(dumpster), if you are unwilling to pay, the now exponential cost, of what should have been a straightforward repair.

[@tmoney9965]

How do you use vector clamping with a chair that is highly decorative? the wood I just cut for the clamps won't sit flush against the chair I'm trying to glue back together because of a rounded surface.

[@FixingFurniture]

You can add padding to the caul. Leather, foam, or felt can help. Cheers. Scott

[@je-fq7ve]

Sometimes a ratchet strap is the best/quickest way to clamping odd shapes

[@FixingFurniture]

I like ratchet straps for round objects because they're really good a providing consistent pressure all the way around. Thanks for sharing your experience! Scott

[@je-fq7ve]

@@FixingFurniture Thanks I liked your video.

[@paulthompson2035]

I agree

[@kengrubb]

Do you also use vector clamping to glue a round chair leg that has split?

[@FixingFurniture]

No need for vector clamping on round split chair legs. Just use lots of clamps down the split to get a good fit. I hope that helps. Scott

[@guadisch3136]

Hi Scott.. Fantastic Video.. Could I ask your advise? I've got an oval table where the tabletop has started splitting apart. Will I have enough pressure by creating a parralell surface with another piece of timber to fix the slim end of the oval? Especially the very tip of the oval concerns me. I thought maybe to use trucking straps but am unsure if that would work either.

[@FixingFurniture]

I would create a caul in the shape of the side of the oval on both sides. Then clamp both ends. You really do need pressure perpendicular (90 degrees) from the joint. I hope that helps. Scott

[@stevefrazzetta5692]

How did you make the other piece of wood that goes on the other side of the one you just showed us???? Unless i missed something,help me out bud please

[@stevefrazzetta5692]

I am just not sure how you maid the second piece of wood for the opposite side that you showed us. I have a problem with theses legs i just need to know how you made the other one .Thanks steve /Retro Refinishes

[@FixingFurniture]

To make the caul, you hold up a piece of 2x material and trace the shape. Once you cut it out, test the fit. Once you have the fit, figure out where you need to clamp that board and cut out areas that are perpendicular (90 degrees) to the clamping surface so the clamp will securely hold it. Does that make sense? Scott We offer video conference calls if you'd like specific advice - here's a link to our plans and advice sessions - homeimprovementwoodworking.square.site

[@gav2759]

This is what we need to do, but how many jobs do we get in from the "have a go with UHU crowd"? They haven't thought the clamping through and ultimately cost of the repair can be exponential.

[@fredfalgiano7481]

Well done. Thanks for sharing!

[@FixingFurniture]

Thank you, I appreciate that! Scott