Stopping glue up from sticking to clamps
Quickstep
| Posted in General Discussion on
I use Bessey clamps to glue up panels, often using epoxy as the adhesive. I put tape on the surface of the clamp bars to prevent the work from sticking to the clamp, but that becomes a pain after a while. What do others do?
Replies
Quickstep,
I rarely use epoxy but have had problems with "other" types of glue. I found that if I use white Butcher paper (one side is waxed) with the waxed side towards the glue, I have no problems. Once the glue is dried, the wax will release and you can scrape the excess off.
Hope this helps....
Joe
Even a broken clock is correct twice a day...
I read this somewhere, Fine Woodworking?, WOOD??... To use bicycle inner tubes on the bar. If what you are clamping is roughly the same size all the time, otherwise you'll need a lot of different lengths of tube. Seems less wasteful then tape anyway, well if can get old tubes.
Edward
Use wax paper. Cut the roll into 4" wide rolls on your bandsaw. To use, pull off a length equal to the exposed bar. Fold the 4" wide strip into a "tent" that will fit over the bar.
I use a lot of epoxy, and my best advice is to be neater. You should be wearing gloves, and if they get gooey, even a little bit, change them. You shouldn't be getting epoxy all over your clamps, no matter how it happens.
If you read James Krenov's books, he talks about seeing woodworkers with glue all over their clamps. Unfortunately (and I am not saying this to be mean but rather to help you fix the situation), it is a reflection of your work habits.
Many woodworkers that use epoxy and aren't neat about it soon become sensitized to it and can't use it at all, or even be in a shop where it is being used. Please be careful.
Hal
http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com
Try the non stick stuff that you use in the freezer it comes in rolls most glues wont stick to it in this country it is called Go Between you probably have an equivalent .
Regards from Melbourne OZ
You can make it fool proof but not idiot proof
Quick, Hal has nailed it.
However, it does happen that glue goes where it is unwelcome, now and again, such as a squeeze out right under the clamp bar which is not accessible and anyway usually waits until you are not looking . I just place some paper there which I have torn into suitable sizes, ready for the job-any paper but waxed is a nice luxury.
At one stage I used to to rub the bars of sash clamps with candle wax, but I think paper may be better because there will then be no drips down the sides - but lots of papers arounfd the shop. So sometime s I go back to waxing.
I had the same problem, quick fast solution is the cling wrap for food. I buy the big box store version and keep it in the shop. It clings to itself and stays when wrapped but peels off with no effort. Works great!
docsimm
Like others I use epoxy for all exterior millwork and use cling film wrap on the clamps and glue up table even the work itself .Wound tight it clamps irregular work.Bought a 6" diameter 24" wide roll from a resturant supply house.Even the shrink ,pallet wrap works well
To try to be neat is the best advice you got, in my opinion.
However, there is a spray product called pattern release (or something like that) it is used when pouring epoxy or other resins in a mould.
You spray it on and nothing sticks to it.C.
2" wide packing tape.
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