How to Flatten your Woodworking Panel Glue Ups - 3 Easy Ways!

In this video Bryan will make a cambered caul, show you a 4 way pressure clamp and make some standard cauls!
If you're struggling with how to flatten your woodworking panel glue ups, then this video is for you! In this video, Bryan will show you three easy ways to flatten your glue ups without any difficulty.
Not only will this help you with your glue ups, but it will also help you with your woodworking skills. By learning how to flatten your glue ups, you'll be able to make stronger joints and avoid common woodworking mistakes. So watch the video and learn how to flatten your woodworking panel glue ups in no time!
To see any of the tools used in this video, please visit these affiliate links:
Bessey 36'' F Style Clamp - amzn.to/3XUDES3
Walnut Planks To Make Cauls - amzn.to/3HrZVRE
Packing Tape - amzn.to/3J9rUXJ
FastCap Tape Measure - amzn.to/3R30yEg
SawStop 3HP PCS - amzn.to/3HoeGVI
Magnetic Push Sticks - amzn.to/3Hqddhq
Bessey 12'' Quick Clamp - amzn.to/3H5AUu4
Bessey Edge Clamp - amzn.to/3JaOxLs
4 Way Clamp Kit - amzn.to/3kEEaVW
Metal Framed 4 Way Clamp (Looks Nice But Not Featured) - amzn.to/3QYl4pL
Festool Kapex Miter Saw - amzn.to/3j2OmXS
Festool Kapex Miter Saw Stand - amzn.to/3WMVeqd
Woodpeckers 642 Square (set, individual square doesn't appear to be available) - amzn.to/3Wz1y4q
Jet 8" Jointer - amzn.to/3XR2RfX
Red Set-Up Blocks - amzn.to/3iVrXf4
Double Sided Tape - amzn.to/3D9ePd1
Bessey 12'' F-Style Clamp - amzn.to/40182fs

[@YTubeSDD]

This is the most I've ever learned about cauls. Thanks.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Haha! Thank you for watching Sean, I appreciate it!

[@skippylippy547]

Thank you for making this excellent video on cauls. I needed this!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Haha! Glad it helped, I don’t think there are many videos out there on cauls. Not the most exciting topic in the world, but they are so useful! Thanks for watching skippylippy!

[@Griffinwoodworks]

This is the first video I’ve seen strictly on clamping cauls and I learned something. Thank you sir. 🤜

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thank you for watching Chris! I appreciate that. I know it's not the most "exciting" video, but I thought it might be useful!

[@Griffinwoodworks]

Useful is better than exciting in my book.

[@craigbrosinski1905]

Here to support this small growing channel, nice caul!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Much appreciated!

[@ctfleming85]

These are some great use cases for cauls. I think you found your cauling......

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Not trying to be criticaul, but I don't think that is practicaul! :)

[@themeat5053]

Excellent.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Many thanks my Meat! :)

[@themeat5053]

@@FlynndoggWoodwork You're welcome, this video is what those young folks need to know about the craft. I was watching one youngster and he was doing a great job but then he took out the weight lifting plates to place on top of his piece. I mentioned cauls would have helped him out. He said he'd have to buy some. I shared that I thought he should make some. I hope he sees your vid.

[@blayne2029]

super helpful!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it.

[@mikebraden9756]

Good stuff, I struggle with panels

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Mike! I appreciate the comment and thanks for watching!

[@skippylippy547]

Hey Mike - Me too. I made a terrible table top a few months ago. It's twisted and uneven. LOL 😂 But I purchased the pair of 4-way clamps shown on this video and WOW did they make a difference! I was so pleased with the result on my second table top that I went ahead and tried making the cauls using the jointer and table saw method. They all worked great. So I would encourage you to try each option and see which one suits you best. You'll enjoy the results and I'm so happy I watched this video. (I watched it 3 times because I'm a bit "slow" 🤣)

[@moldyzucchinis3251]

king of small shop youtube does it again

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Haha! I've never thought of myself as royalty! :) Thanks for watching Moldy! Love your username

[@ericerf6837]

Great showing of options here. I recall that in a previous video you said you were not too hyped on the second option-the four way caul. Am I correct that the only reason was, as you stated here, that you felt you made them too long? Having altered only that, you now are good with them. Thanks for putting these together for us to consider.

[@mattyice5945]

Great video, like your teaching/explaining style!! Subscribed!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Matty! Glad you like it! Thanks for watching and thanks for the subscription! :)

[@davidmartin9045]

You could also use a tapering jig also great video

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

You are so correct sir! In fact I debated on whether or not to show that or the jointer method. I saw the jointer method on another channel and I wanted to try it out. Excellent point and thanks for watching!

[@meperson]

Good summary of different solutions. But that jointer method doesn't create angled caul, it it just a small step in the middle. Table saw method is much better or use hand plane that you start progressively further from the center.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Yes sir! You are correct, it doesn't have the curved profile that would be idea. I actually learned the jointer method from another woodworker, and I think its an interesting way to make one. But you are 100% correct. Ideally it would be better to draw a very subtle curve from the middle to the end of the caul and then use a block plane to shave down to the line. Thanks for the comment Me!

[@monteglover4133]

I was taught to use a 2x4 fir a wide cambered cull that and there are cheap.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Excellent choice for a caul monteglover. I think that would be a smart caul! :)

[@patrickkirchner5271]

First of all.......I am jealous of your drum sander. I have been looking for a used one forever. Second......what is your method for keeping glue off of the clamps? Love your show!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thank you so much Patrick! I actually have a video on how to get glue off of your clamps. I'll be honest, I'm not the best of protecting my clamps from getting glue on them... If I remember I use some blue tape, however, I always forget! A little white vinegar and some time is the best way I handle the glue on the clamps! Thanks for watching!

[@anthonyseiver7000]

Nice caul outs...

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

I love a good caul joke! Haha! Thanks for watching Anthony!

[@skiroy56]

What are your thoughts in making the cambered cauls into the bottom of the 4 way pressure clamps. Would that do the same thing only better? Just my thoughts. Great video and thanks for taking the time to make it.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

I love this idea. That would probably make these clamps much more effective. Using a hard wood as well as cambering them. Great idea!!! Thanks so much for sharing it and thanks for watching skiroy!

[@mikem1436]

When making the tapered caul using the jointer, it would be safer to do the full board (each side) before cutting it in half. That way fingers do not get close to the blades of the jointer. Then use whatever method someone chooses to stabilize the wood to cut it in half on the table saw or cut it in half on a band saw.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

I like this idea mike! Thanks so much for sharing. I agree using the jointer like this is a little bit scary and I'm always about finding safer more comfortable ways of doing things. Thanks so much for sharing and watching!

[@mibict]

Ghostbusters!

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Haha! Thanks for watching Mibict!

[@skiroy56]

After thinking about chambering the bottom of the clamp, the only drawback I can see is that possibly the center of the camber needs to be in the middle of the glue up. Not sure if that would make a difference or not. Your thoughts?

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Oh yes, I think you are right. You would have to really make sure that the center of the chambering was right on the middle of the glue up. If it wasn't I could see it having the opposite effect you were looking for. Great point!

[@tpaulsmith7194]

Great instructions. Almost sounds like you are from a teaching background.

[@tobytootimes7639]

He is. He’s taught “how to play the skin flute” for years. I hear he’s one of the best. Quite gifted. 🤡

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

Thanks so much Paul! No teaching background here, just used to explaining things as simply as I can to my kids! :). Thanks for watching as always!

[@rianmc4760]

Why does the caul need to be hardwood 🤔

[@richardrodgers1883]

Because softwood like pine will bend easy and thus not give as much holding power to keep the panel flat.

[@FlynndoggWoodwork]

You absolutely could Rian! In fact some of my first cauls were made out of 2X4's If you use pine however I would recommend making them a little taller. The nice thing about hardwood is that it has less of a tendency to bow which I encounter with most of my pine cauls. You will notice however that that 4 way clamp is made out of pine. Thanks for watching Rian!