Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Nov 21, 2005 04:42pm | #1

   Hmmm. I'm not sure I understand your question, but . . .

   First, make sure your frame pieces on opposite sides of the table are the same length. Seems elementary, but mistakes can occur. (DAMHIKT.) Second, make sure your M&Ts are well-fitted and are made square. That should pretty much ensure that the final product will be at least almost, if not perfectly, square. Then, at glue-up, measure across the diagonals of the piece and adjust your clamps until the measurements are equal. Unless Pythagorus was all wrong, your table will be square.

   Mike Hennessy

1. 
   dlb | Nov 21, 2005 08:02pm | #2

   Thanks for the reply.  I pretty much have those bases covered but now, perchance perfection is a 1/16 or 2 away, how do I correct that at glue-up, or is that the time to do so? I may be all wrong but I was wondering if, when I glue the apron and legs, my method of applying pressure to the pieces can be modified to force corrections. In other words if the frame is racked, can I unrack it by using clamps vs. using a strap or by gluing on side, letting it dry, gluing the next side and forcing it square & then adding the next side, etc.

   Thanks,

   dlb

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1. 
   MikeHennessy | Nov 21, 2005 08:32pm | #3

   Well, if you are talking a 16th or two, probably not. The piece will flex this much and just spring back. If you really want to be that critical, you'll need to correct the moritises prior to gluing.

   Mike Hennessy

2. 
   BG | Nov 21, 2005 10:46pm | #4

   dlb,
   I addition to being square, you need to make sure there's no racking either. What I do is use the table saw with the crosscut sled and TS fense.... clamping to the fenses on both insures 90degree and being upside down on the sled insures no racking..

1. 
   dlb | Nov 22, 2005 03:01am | #5

   Thanks for the reply. I thought of using a wall and a board set perpendicular to it as a support for the frame, on a table & turned upside down. I ended up assembling the frame, clamping it and checking for squareness. Lo & behold I was dead on!! I knew that that couldn't be correct so I undid all of my clamps, moved them around and re-clamped. I just knew that something had to be wrong!! Again I was dead on so I figured that maybe, just maybe, I was lucky. But then again, chance favors the prepared mind!!

   So I went ahead and glued the frame and tomorrow I will peg it, with home-made dowels (doesn't everyone make their own?) and start the finishing process. Thanks for everyones help.

   dlb

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2. 
   WillGeorge | Nov 23, 2005 03:56am | #6

   Make a 'story stick' that fits inside the rectangle to the size you want... Clamp and check both angles.. Works!

1. 
   dlb | Nov 23, 2005 04:54am | #7

   Thanks for the reminder as I have seen these in an article in FWW. I'll give it a try.