How To Glue Up A Table Top

[@MJHanegraaf]

Really appreciate you going through your gluing and cleaning details. Will be getting a glue roller soon. Was very helpful for me - better than most all the other videos I’ve been watching on this subject. Thank you!

[@bentswoodworking]

You’re welcome

[@davidcerce]

I agree with a few other comments, a panel this size could benefit from the the use of cauls to keep it flat!

[@charliespencer2536]

I have found it is foolproof to set the 2 end clamps close enough to the end of the boards that I can put a caul on top and use short clamps to squeeze the pipe/bar to the caul. Easy and takes little time. You guarantee the boards are in contact with the pipe/bar and therefore flat.

[@roberthiday3342]

can you upload an image of that process with the caul and bar clamp? I am having trouble visualizing what you are saying.

[@DW-ph2xg]

Consider using the back side of your guide rail to mark for the dominos. I’m sure you have one long enough to do the job and you certainly know how to square it up. Always good tips. Thank you.

[@paulmurray2875]

Thanks. 3 questions. I’m unfamiliar with dominoes. Festool machine? 2. I’m not so fast with the glue. Maybe it’s that you used a brush? I used a thin stick To spread 3. I didn’t see you check for flatness on top to check for bows or cups. Just depend on being flat to the clamp bar? Much appreciated. Nicely done Paul

[@bentswoodworking]

1. Yes 2. I use Titebond 3 so I have plenty time 3. I’m not concerned with bowing as long as I don’t over tighten

[@donretsas1791]

I use bar clamps on the top as well as to stop warping.

[@automaticprojects]

Don RETSAS I do too and use cauls but that’s because I’m not using Dominos or dowels, just glue. Won’t his dominos prevent any warping or bowing?

[@BrianKeith12379]

Excellent video! Excess glue that come out of the top.. just wipe with a damp rag? Concerned that the wood won’t take the finish is any glue is on there . Thansk

[@bentswoodworking]

I wipe it off or scrap it off after it’s set for a bit.

[@victorreyes7704]

What would you recommend to do if after everything is glue up and you take off the clamps you come to realize the the top is bowed. Do you think c channels will help pull it to where I need it?

[@bentswoodworking]

It could help but if it’s going on a traditional base with apron they likely aren’t needed

[@usermodeactivated]

Nice video thanks. What kind of tool do you used to open the hole for the dominos and then how u know the sice of the dominos?

[@carivuong9117]

Hi Jason hope you are well and great video! May I kindly ask what tool you are using to make the cuts for the slots please? Cheers!!!!

[@ATopDesignWoodworking]

It’s called Festool Domino DF500

[@bentswoodworking]

Festool Domino

[@Painfulwhale360]

What thickness of boards are you using for this glue up? Nice video!

[@davenopeapottimus2590]

Are you creating preload when you tighten the end clamps FIRST? Once the ends are locked together, as you tighten the centers, the ends dont move outward as the gaps close. In 70 years if it fails, it'll be because there was preloaded tension in the center.. just like a tree has before its milled. Wrong?

[@MixingGBP]

To mitigate this, I thought one is supposed to apply pressure to each clamps in a small amount for every clamp, not tighten every clamp by a lot at a go.

[@trex283]

Best to move from center to outside not outside in.

[@TeamProsperity]

Hey Jason, great instructional video. Video and audio was first class, thanks. I have a couple questions if you don’t mind answering for me. 1. How thick was the table top? 2. It looked like you only put glue on one edge of the joint and I saw you put a little glue on the domino but did you put any glue into the mating mortise but just on the domino? 3. With the table top being 41” x 72” did you use table top stiffeners? I’m making a 40”x72” table top out of 1 1/2” Ash that will expand to 102” via two 15” leafs. I have like 9 boards to make the width of 40”. Some are 4 1/2” and a couple are 7” so I’ll do my glue up in several stages. I have the Festool DF 700XL and will use 12x100 dominos being the material is 1 1/2”

[@bentswoodworking]

Thank you! To answer your questions 1. If I remember correctly, this top was 1 1/4” thick 2. I typically glue one board, put glue in opposing mortises, and will spread excess glue on exposed domino. 3. What do you mean by stiffeners?

[@fredflintstone5728]

Dominoes do not make a joint stronger. They only pocket moisture. We cut tops down for a client. The tops were over 1 year old. When we cut them and exposed the dominoes. The glue was still wet

[@1LeggedAdventures]

not sure in real time how long this glue up took (seemed like a while) but titebond usually has an open time of 5 mins. have you ever had any issues with your glue joints failing? what type of glue are you using that allows this kind of an open time?

[@bentswoodworking]

Jeff Chaffin I use titebond 3. It was less that 5 minutes and no I have never had any issues. 👍🏻

[@daveou8563]

How does titebond compare against gorilla glue??

[@gonzalodanielloayza2926]

Great video! Quick question: how soon can one start working on the project after glue? I normally wait until the next day but I've seen people let the glue dry for just a few hours and get back on it. This would help me get projects done faster but I wouldn't want to compromise the joints. Thanks in advance!

[@bentswoodworking]

Depends on the type of glue. I usually do a glue up as my last thing for the day just so I can sit overnight

[@MJHanegraaf]

I’m a newbie, so consider the source, but I’ve been reading people will allow the glue to dry 24 hrs before ‘stressing’ the joints. I’m guessing that may include running through the joiner, so I’m waiting 24 hrs. They say a few hours dry time (at warm temp and average humidity) is OK otherwise.

[@arcturusbbqsausagemaking2435]

Awesome video, What is the tool you used to router out your slots on the wood that you glued your dominos What is that system called, Im a welder fabricator of 37 years Id like to build a custom Table for my wife ornamental iron base hardwood top like what you did here , I need a planer, Can I get a square enough glue edge with a table saw or would I need a thickness planer also

[@bentswoodworking]

Are you referring to the Festool Domino?

[@nsanerydah]

Any calls or top clamps to minimize bowing? Great video!

[@bentswoodworking]

I rarely use them unless using very thin material

[@ThekiBoran]

Caul, cauls. caul2-noun a form or plate for pressing a veneer or veneers being glued to a backing or to each other.

[@joequillun7790]

No cauls needed? Would they hurt? Just curious if you've ever invested in any, or feel they have a place?

[@bentswoodworking]

They definitely wouldn’t hurt. Cauls are alway good

[@forrestallison1879]

Im really surprised you didnt have anything on top!! What about warping??

[@bentswoodworking]

I’m not worried about warping on a glue up

[@taylorlindsey7439]

Not sure if someone should worry about warping during the time it takes glue to dry? However i am also surprised you didn’t use anything on top just bc every time i tighten up my bessy clamps during a table top glue up, whatever side i put my clamps on ( as in the top or bottom surface ) the table top always wants to bow the opposite direction because of the pressure! You don’t have that problem ?

[@zxzs328]

Jason Bent - Bent's Woodworking I’m afraid that’s about as stupid a comment as I have ever read on a woodworking vid.

[@briaoneill3498]

Hi can you tell me the size of your clamps please. I am looking make a wood background for my mounted TV.

[@bh6984]

Thanks for the great video. So you apply glue into one of the mortises and on the domino but you don't bother putting glue in the mating mortise, right?

[@bentswoodworking]

I personally don’t. Just make sure there is glue on the exposed domino

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Bent, what is your method of keeping glue off of your big Bessey clamps? Great video

[@bentswoodworking]

Small Workshop Guy I will either lay down some sort of wax paper or not put anything. Usually I put nothing down and after I unglue the project, when I slide the jaws back up they break off all the dried glue.

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Thanks. I find it helps a lot to wax the clamps before using them and then take everything off with a old (but sharp) garbage chisel.

[@bentswoodworking]

Small Workshop Guy waxing the clamps is a great idea. May have to try that. Thanks!!

[@ThekiBoran]

@@SmallWorkshopGuy I call 'em an S chisel. LOL!

[@40redfox40]

Thank you

[@bentswoodworking]

You're welcome

[@sdcofer52]

Clamp on top also. Work from outside to inside.

[@guitarchitectural]

How come you don't apply glue to both sides of the joint?

[@bentswoodworking]

guitarchitectural I don’t find it necessary. Just more glue is wasted from squeeze out.

[@pulvii]

I kinda messed up my tabletop, I usually put a clamp for my microphone on the edge of my desk. And one time the clamp slid, leaving a pinch on the tabletop, how do I fix this?

[@TigerCarpenter]

design a cool inlay around that pinch. just like you cover a tattoo: "I love Linda, with Yin Yang sign after Linda ditched you 7 months ago"

[@MrLegendL2118]

I’m making an 8ft desk out of 5/4 pine, would 4 of those bessey clamps and 4 regular Irwin clamps be enough?

[@bentswoodworking]

It could be. I don’t know what you milling capability’s are but if you have good milled, straight lumber I think you would be fine

[@MrLegendL2118]

I do have the dewalt planer & Bosch table saw and just purchased 4 -50” bessey clamps and already own 4 Irwin clamps, but I just don’t own a jointer. I do construction so I have mostly everything, I’m just not a furniture builder. Should I clamp and glue 2 of the 5/4x6 together then run them through the planer(repeat 2 more times) then clamp and glue the 3 sections together? I was also going to screw 3 pieces about 2” wide in between the file cabinets underneath the top for bracing since I down own a domino and biscuits are only for lining up wood with no structural strength. Do I need the bracing or is the glue enough? The top is going to be placed on 2 file cabinets for a simple computer desk with 1 leg in the back middle for sag bracing

[@bentswoodworking]

Coach2118 I think you should be fine. You can also make a jointer jig for the table saw. They are pretty easy and there are great KZbin video on them. Glue is much stronger than people think. Attaching the boards with glue alone would be plenty strong enough.

[@MattewDFenner]

What size dominos are you using there?

[@bentswoodworking]

They were probably 8x50

[@jass627]

What glue did you use ?

[@bentswoodworking]

Probably Titebond 3

[@mikevincent2811]

Xtra open time

[@douglingle1600]

My drill sargent was never this nice lol.

[@DavidZupec]

Do you put glue in all the domino holes?

[@bentswoodworking]

David Zupec I do.

[@SD-yb5fx]

Are they PVC dust collection pipes I see? Just so you know there is no way of grounding them properly and you are risking serious fire and or explosion.

[@taylorlindsey7439]

I have never seen so many dumb questions that could be answered with common sense or just pure stupidity like they didn’t even pay attention to the video and then wanna ask what it was about lol......” what do you cut the slots with that you put the dominoes in” “what about glue getting on the table aren’t you worried about stain not taking “ does no one sand their tables????? sorry to sound so mean but i did enjoy your video, me and you glue up table tops almost exactly the same step by step

[@bluebird5100]

Why no glue inside the mortises?