How to Build a Glue Up Vice - Wood Clamping Board

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I am always hesitant to throw away pieces of hardwood, even small or thin pieces because I know in the right project, they may be just what I need. But I have been missing a simple way to glue these scraps together into larger sizes so my imagination can take over and find a use for them. So, in this video I build a versatile and easy to use shop jig to make this glue up process very simple. It's amazing how much more motivated I am to get rid of my pile of miscellaneous hardwood scraps when I have an easy way to transform them into usable panels.
Check out Izzy Swan's video on building his wood clamping board that gave me an idea on how to improve mine. • Make a simple wood cla...

[@ERLong-ww7yn]

Haha. That's cool. No screwdriver needed. I remember the shop teacher cracking knuckles if we used a chisel for a screwdriver or a paint can opener

[@RustyDobbs]

Yep, some woodworkers are particularly touchy about wood chisels, especially shop teachers! I do have a relatively nice set of chisels for when I really need a nice chisel! But the ones that find their way into my day to day tool bag are fair game for any use and will be sharpened and/or modified on a belt sander by freehand!

[@U2BER2012]

I like those hold down pieces which flattens all the boards evenly. Great Jig!

[@RustyDobbs]

Thanks, D Monty! Yeah it does a pretty good job. As with any project, if I do it again I'll make some modifications!

[@AimeeNolte]

It’s a heck of a jig, Rusty

[@RustyDobbs]

It is one heck of a jig, Aimee! Now, if I can only build it in some other "keys"! Thanks for watching!

[@CombrinkPierre]

Great 💡

[@rogerj4169]

That’s awesome think I’ll build one myself. How do you stop the squeezed out glue from getting on the slides and glueing the boards to the jig?

[@adamdejesus4017]

I just built this last week. I covered the face and the dovetailed slides with packaging tape (this also means no wood/wood contact on moving parts). When the glue dries solid it is easy to remove. Must do this prior to assembly to make it easier. Used 1/4-20 knobs and threaded rod, a bit smaller but works fine.

[@RustyDobbs]

Glad you like it, Roger! It could use some tweaks, but works well overall. I just use quick release masking tape over any areas where the glue joints are. Thanks for watching!

[@RustyDobbs]

Thanks for your comments, Adam! You have good ideas to make the vice work better!

[@joebiggerstaff636]

Fantastic Jig concept! Rusty, have you tried scaling up the jigs footprint to accommodate table top sized panels? It appears to have little limitations other than glue application and panel deflection. You've covered the deflection with the cross brace. Again, thank you for the demo and your clear thought process during the build! Joe.

[@RustyDobbs]

Thanks for watching and for your comments, Joe. No, I haven't explored this with bigger panels. I needed this specifically for smaller, thin pieces of material and use a Festool domino cutter and dominos with bar clamps for any thicker materials. If I ever rethink this vice, I will make some design changes to address some of the shortcomings I have run across. But it works fairly well for my purposes.

[@dakotamax2]

Never seen the screw driving technique, why do you back the screw out then drive it home? Love the jig.

[@RustyDobbs]

Thanks, Dakota! When you are screwing a couple of pieces of material together, particularly without a pilot hole, as the screw moves through one piece into the next, it will usually push the second piece away before the point of the screw grabs and begins to draw the two pieces together. That creates a little gap between the materials. By backing out the screw and running it back in a second time, you draw the pieces tight the second go round without having to add more force to get the job done. It's honestly something I don't even think about anymore as it is a habit that's developed over many years. A pilot hole makes it unnecessary most of the time and in any higher quality materials and hardwoods, I always drill pilot holes.

[@deborahthomas204]

Rusty..that is a beautiful cutting board! Please give it to me. And when it is delivered I would like a batch of your famous chocolate chip cookies on top of the board. As president of your fan club I do not think this is an unreasonable request. Thank you Mr. Dobbs 😊

[@RustyDobbs]

I'll have to come up with a better approach for a cutting board for you, Debbie! But you know how great the demand is for my chocolate chippers these days? The biggest challenge is getting my wife and your friend to deliver them to you without raiding the cookie jar in the process!

[@deborahthomas204]

@@RustyDobbs Sounds like excuses to me! 😊

[@keto4life197]

Hopefully i get mine finished today from residual wood thanks

[@RustyDobbs]

Hope that worked out for you, Keto! Can be a pretty helpful device if you have a need for it!

[@paulbylin3076]

That is awesome. Can I purchase a set of plans for this jig?

[@RustyDobbs]

Thanks, Paul! I appreciate your comment and interest in a set of plans. Sorry I don't have any available at this point, but we are reworking my website and I will be able to make plans available there in the coming months. Thanks again for your interest and for watching!

[@dennismeyers2008]

Nice!

[@RustyDobbs]

Thanks, Dennis!

[@matthewhodgman1805]

Ok, Good video. But using a chisel as a screwdriver? LOL Seriously though, I like the jig and think I'll make my own. Thanks Rusty

[@RustyDobbs]

Now, Matthew, you need to understand that I am not primarily a carpenter, therefore anything that finds its way into my tool bag may end up being used for lots of purposes it was never intended! That chisel might just as easily be used to scrape dried thinset off a floor if it is within reach when I need it! I do have a nice set of wood chisels though and I actually do use one for its intended purpose every six months or so. Glad they are Craftsman brand! 🙂 Thanks for watching!

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

You are installing the threaded insert backwards, the slots are not for being used as a driver. The slots are for making cuts into the wood you are driving them into. To properly insert the threaded inserts you use the size of the thread insert all thread with two jamb nuts then you can chuck the all thread into a drill press and turn the chuck by hand this will insure a straight threaded insert. Back the jamb nuts off and unscrew the all thread.

[@RustyDobbs]

That actually makes a lot of sense, Falcon! Obviously, I don't use threaded inserts very often! Thanks for the heads up and I'll remember the right process next time! I'm officially designating you as one of my go to guys when I don't understand something or need another perspective along with JusBidniss and Danny Wilshire. A lot of good knowledge those two have passed along over time as well! How's that next clock project for your wife coming along? : )

[@MatyasArby]

That poor chisel

[@Dougmoose28]

What's wrong with a SCREWDRIVER ?

[@RustyDobbs]

NOTHING, DOUG!!! There's a difference between master carpenters, cabinet makers and remodel contractors like me. In my tool bag, which is the first thing I take out of my truck each day when I'm out on a job, are 'hand tools' that can function in any capacity depending on urgency and how close they are to the top of the bag when I need them. So a screwdriver might be used as a chisel and, or in this case, a chisel becomes a screwdriver. Sometimes when filming for videos, I forget about the real carpenters who might be watching and keep with my 'what gets the job done and is handy' attitude. That chisel in the video is actually one of the handiest tools I have and gets reworked periodically to function as it was manufactured to be used. I actually have a nice, new set of chisels stored in their case that I have had for years. Every once in a great while one of them gets used when I can't find my favorite chisel in the top layer of my tool bag. Then it goes right back in the case. 🙂

[@boyer1963]

Try using a screwdriver😀

[@RustyDobbs]

Thomas, why would I do that when I have a perfectly good old chisel handy! 😬 If you haven't figured me out yet, I have a bag of hand tools that I take with me on jobs and use in the shop that has a number of multipurpose (loosely defined) tools included. Whichever one is within reach and can be used for my specific need at the time, it gets used! That's what happened here. I actually do have a nice set of chisels as well. They look like new because they are rarely used!