Can I glue three 2x4 together and use on my lathe?
This is something I've been doing for a long time now. My theory on this, is the initial extra pressure will drive the glue into the interiors of the wood surfaces. This might be good for this purpose, but it's too much pressure for the bond between the two surfaces, and might force too much of the glue to exit out the sides of the bond.Clamp your boards tight for a few seconds and then loosen them half a turn or so.
I've read that excess clamping pressure will starve the joint of glue.This is something I've been doing for a long time now. My theory on this, is the initial extra pressure will drive the glue into the interiors of the wood surfaces. This might be good for this purpose, but it's too much pressure for the bond between the two surfaces, and might force too much of the glue to exit out the sides of the bond.
Is there agreement with this theory of mine......or am I just full of it?
-----odie-----
My opinion is (no testing to back it up) the glue gets into the fibers through absorption in cell walls and capillary action (especially end grain). Allowing a few minutes for the glue to wet fibers, adding more if needed, accomplishes more than excess pressure. Get wood to wood as Franklin states, and no more pressure is needed.This is something I've been doing for a long time now. My theory on this, is the initial extra pressure will drive the glue into the interiors of the wood surfaces. This might be good for this purpose, but it's too much pressure for the bond between the two surfaces, and might force too much of the glue to exit out the sides of the bond.
Is there agreement with this theory of mine......or am I just full of it?
-----odie-----
My opinion is (no testing to back it up) the glue gets into the fibers through absorption in cell walls and capillary action (especially end grain). Allowing a few minutes for the glue to wet fibers, adding more if needed, accomplishes more than excess pressure. Get wood to wood as Franklin states, and no more pressure is needed.
When i did segmenting, I found starved joints - the capillary action would such it right up. My solution was to make 2 “glue spreading” rounds with the segments, which gave time for the glue to absorb, add another coat, then fit together - might not be the best solution but no more failures from glue starvation.
Why can't we have both?Is there agreement with this theory of mine......or am I just full of it?
-----odie-----
I have glued hundreds of joints ( face grain to face grain) and clamped as tight as I could with sufficient squeeze out cleaned up with a damp cloth, then let them sit overnight and never have I loosened a clamp until I removed it the next day.This is something I've been doing for a long time now.
I thought it was so the two pieces would work against each other to resist movement and keep the whole thing flat.The idea is that when wood movement happens, the gap that should form would be on the inside and not show.
The cabinet/ millwork shop I formerly worked in, and still hang out in, we never loosened clamps while gluing. I never heard of that idea.Also be sure to wipe off any excess glue. Clamp your boards tight for a few seconds and then loosen them half a turn or so. While they're really tight wipe the extra glue off.
I don't know who taught me that, maybe an old shop teacher or my dad? It seems like I've always done that. I THINK it's to "smash" the glue across the surface of the item (though I do evenly spread the glue), it gives you a chance to wipe off the extra glue, and then it allows the surface tension to keep the glue spread out without adding extra stress to the wood. But I could be wrong.I have never seen any study, or "official" explanation of this......you could be right. Of course, my opinion is just that.....an opinion!
This thinking started with @Charles Cadenhead's statement about giving an initial squeeze, and then letting off the clamp pressure. Is there any explanation for doing this, other than for the reasons I opined? This is exactly what I've been doing for many years, and I can't recall ever having a failed glue joint...
I don't have an answer to this question.....only my opinion.
-----odie-----