Things You'll Need:
- Clamps
- Ruler
- Level
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Step 1
Place glued wood project on flat surface close to the edge so it is easy to work with. For the purposes of this article, the project is a box. Of course, tailor the instructions to suit your project needs.
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Step 2
Realize that each side of the box needs pressure for the glue to dry evenly. This means that you will need three clamps on each short side of the box to hold the frame evenly. This is 3 clamps on one side and 3 on the other: 6 clamps.
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Step 3
Begin by placing small blocks of leftover wood in the positions where you wish to clamp. By including these blocks in the clamping process, you create a buffer between the box and the clamps. This prevents warping and denting of the box.
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Step 4
Loosen the clamps for easy fitting onto box by twisting the clamp brace counter clockwise. Test the width of the clamp opening by holding it next to box to see if it is wide enough. Repeat with all 6 clamps.
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Step 5
Check that the joints are straight before placing a clamp on one corner and twisting the clamp to tighten into place. Be sure to apply even weight to the clamp so that it secures neatly and correctly into position. Don't over tighten as this will move the wood pieces and hence the sides of the project.
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Step 6
Repeat Step 5 with all other clamps first clamping one side, then the other side, and then the middle. Smooth steady progress and a firm hand is the quickest way to do the job right the first time.
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Step 7
Measure the sides of the box with a ruler after clamping to make sure the box is still even and in its original position. If the sides are slightly off, adjust the clamps until the sides are even. A spirit level is useful for checking the sides are straight inside the clamps.
