While gluing wide pine panels recently, I made this fixture to align the edges of the boards and speed things up. It consists of two cleats, 1-1/2 in. thick by 2 in. tall by about 36 in. long. I cut a 1/4-in. camber on the facing edges so the cleats act as cauls that apply even pressure across the glue-up. I also shaped a handle on one end of each cleat.

The cleats are “hinged” at one end with an open foot attached to the bottom cleat. This foot is fitted with a threaded insert that guides a 5/16-in. bolt (with a Snap-Lock knob, part No. 00M70.30, leevalley.com). The bolt can be adjusted to accommodate workpieces of different thicknesses. Finally, I covered the cleats with packing tape to keep glue from sticking to them.

To use the fixture, I start at the right side of the glue-up, which is slightly elevated by the bar clamps at each end. I slide the lower cleat under the panel, then turn it 90 degrees so the open foot is upright. Then I slide the top cleat into the open foot under the bolt. I pull the two handles together to apply pressure across the panel and align the boards. I then tighten the first clamp a bit to hold things in place. Moving left, I put another clamp on the panel, squeeze the alignment fixture, and tighten again. I repeat this sequence until all clamps have been set. Afterward, I go back and tighten them fully.

Jim Richey

Jim Richey

Chuck Lakin, Waterville, ME

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