Replies

1. 
   RickL | Mar 05, 2007 05:36pm | #1

   Why do you  find the cauls to be a pain? I've been using curved cauls for over 25 years and find them to be really simple and straight forward. The thing I find most useful is that I use my standard quick clamps and bar or pipe clamps. I typically put them every 18" or so and use two long beams underneath the whole sey-up to line everything up. I can single handedly glue up a 4' x 8' panel in one shot and get perfect alignment which means I plane my stock to finished thickness before gluing up sp all I have to do is scrape off the glue and sand and I'm done.

1. 
   jigsawjohn | Mar 05, 2007 11:06pm | #2

   How much arc is there in your culls?JigSawJohn

1. 
   RickL | Mar 06, 2007 12:55am | #3

   About 1/8" over a 48" caul.  If you don't have the arc it doesn't work properly. Basically the curved caul method is the same thing for a low tech veneer press.The only thing different is you add plywood pressure spreaders under the cauls to make it a veneer press. Can't beat the fact it uses clamps you already have in your shop and the curved cauls are perfect for clamping shelves in a large carcass. Probably one of the simplest tools you can add to your shop. I still can't imagine why you find them to be a pain in the neck. I find them so simple to use and I get perfect panels every time. Pretty much foolproof.

2. 
   JMartinsky | Mar 06, 2007 04:21pm | #6

   Dear Rick,
   Um.......... hmmmmmmmmmmmm........ what a caul?Best,John

1. 
   RickL | Mar 06, 2007 06:11pm | #8

   http://www.bowclamp.com/product.html

   I do not advocate buying cauls. It's something you can make from scrap. The T slot is not necessary. I only used his site to show how useful the caul is. The caul goes back many years. You'd think he invented it!!!!! The subject has been covered in FWW. http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Community/QADetail.aspx?id=26546

2. 
   ptu | Mar 06, 2007 03:32am | #4

   I made 30 2'x3.5' raised panels for my house,plus all my kitchen cabinate doors, and glued all of them with those panel clamps, and love them. I have a dedicated clamping table, and would glue two at a time(two seperate clamps). I think they are great.
   Pedro

1. 
   pmmatty | Mar 06, 2007 03:33pm | #5

   thanks for the input.  I love mine.  You are apparently the only other person out there who has used them.  Makes nice flat panels a breeze.   PMM

3. 
   Anderson | Mar 06, 2007 06:07pm | #7

   OK ... I'm curious ... what type of clamps are you speaking of. I looked on the Lee Valley web site and could not find a listing for "panel clamps".

   Barry in WV

1. 
   Anon | Mar 06, 2007 07:13pm | #9

   I think this is what he's talking about.http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=31181&cat=1,43838,47843&ap=1I have some but haven't tried them yet; this thread gives me the encouragement I needed.

1. 
   Anderson | Mar 07, 2007 01:35am | #10

   Great !! Thanks a lot!! I've ordered a set. They look like they will work. They are a bit pricey for what you get, however ...

   Barry in WV

1. 
   pmmatty | Mar 07, 2007 03:01am | #11

   Dear Anderson:

   Anon answered your question before I could but he pointed you to the clamps.  Hope they work for you as well as they do for me.  PMM

4. 
   mike4244 | Mar 07, 2007 05:40pm | #12

   I made panel clamps,used mostly for gluing up boards edge to edge. Very simply 2x3's with holes on 4" centers.The back piece has 3/8" tee nuts for 3/8" bolts and washers.My setup is vertical although could be laid down for horizontal applications. I run the bolts up quickly with a cordless drill using the clutch. The 2x3's were varnished and an occasional coat of wax so glue doesn't stick to them.I have been using them for about ten years, similar in design to the Plano system.I snug up the bolts but not real tight at first, add pipe or bar clamps ,then tighten the bolts.

   The panel clamps pull the boards into alignment and the bar clamps then added to tighten the joints.

   mike