How to Use a Clamp

Projects that are glued together require a tight fit while the glue dries. Use clamps to achieve this. They aren't hard to use.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Finishing Nails
• Wood Glues
• Bar Clamps
• Waxed Paper
• 3-way Clamps
• C-clamps
• Corner Clamps
• Hand-screw Clamps
• Pipe Clamps
• Vise-grip Clamps

1. Make sure before you start gluing your project that you have enough clamps that will fit.

2. Use a level work surface.

3. Glue your project, and then apply the appropriate clamp.

4. Make sure the jaws don't touch the work. Protect wood with felt pads, scrap wood or folded wax paper.

5. Tighten the clamps carefully - be sure to distribute pressure evenly on the work.

6. Alternate directions of the clamps.

7. Measure the diagonals to see whether the work remained square while you were clamping it. If it isn't, loosen the clamps and readjust.

8. Wipe off any glue that leaks out of the seams. Stains and other finishes won't look right on dried glue.

9. When the work is clamped, reinforce the joints with finishing nails.