STL 174: The power of the spring joint
Bob Van Dyke joins Mike and Ben, in studio, to lay down the law on the spring joint, veneer glues, and box splinesThis episode is sponsored by Varathane:
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Leave a comment below to enter to win a copy of Peter Nicholson’s Mechanic’s Companion published by Rude Mechanicals Press! We’ll pick a winner October 12th, 2018. Special thanks to Megan Fitzpatrick for making this happen!
Question 1:
From Bill:
I have done a large number of glue ups in my day, and typically utilize my 8″ jointer to create a flat, 90-degree surface to insure a good joint for gluing and have never had any issues. I have seen and heard often about creating a spring joint to help with the glue up. My question is this. What is the value of creating the spring joint, and how to create it (i.e. how long, how far from the ends, etc.)? It’s a tricky leap of faith to take that perfect edge that you’ve created on a jointer and create a gap, so would like to understand the value of it.
I currently am making a large chest of drawers and am in the process of gluing up long and wide sections to make the case. To get the width I am gluing up 3 boards at 8″ each. The length is 7 feet long, so it is a pretty big glue up.
- An Edge-Jointing Primer – Well-tuned tools and the right technique create joints that last by Gary Rogowski #124–May/June 1997 Issue
- Creating an Attractive Tabletop, Part 2 Edge-jointing and glue-up by Bob Van Dyke #208–Nov/Dec 2009 Issue
Question 2:
From Mike:
I am planning to build a desk out of walnut. The top is going to be approximately 2′ x 5′. I would like to use a double particle board core with veneer on all six sides. I do not have a vacuum bag, but have seen some articles where people used a contact adhesive to secure the veneer, similar to securing laminate. Is this a viable option? As much as I would love to have a vacuum bag, I cannot justify the expense. I do not want to make the top out of solid stock, but I am a little scared of veneering. Any tips or suggestions?
Segment: All Time Favorite Tool
Mike: His 17-in. Grizzly Bandsaw
Ben: A router mat, for sanding
Bob: Small bevel gauge made by Chris Vesper after a fake out to his #4 Stanley Smoothing plane
Question 3:
From Dave:
I recently made a box, using hidden splines, because I had heard they were strong. Sure enough, they seem kinda strong, but I’m wondering where that strength comes from? There’s no long grain to long grain join here – at best it’s a 45° short-grain to long grain – not hugely better that the two 45° surfaces on the miter itself… or is the one long grain surface enough to give it this extra strength? Or am I being dumb and missing something obvious?
Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking‘s biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to [email protected] for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page.
Comments
Great to have Bob Van Dyke on! I love the balance humor and expertize!
Always love the cast! And thanks for the giveaway opportunity Ben.
Always excited to find a new episode waiting for me! And excited to see that book! Haha
Enjoying podcast with a great giveaway!
This is the first episode I've gone back to watch the video after listening to the podcast. I can't resist the combination of Mike + Bob!
Great show I am in for the book
Now your talking!
Love this podcast, I already bought one of these books. I will be happy to give it away if I win it. Such great content and quality!
Great show! You've got to have Bob on more often!
Great podcast. You present very helpful information and I truly appreciate the camaraderie between you guys. Keep up the good work! Thanks for the tip on Mechanics Companion. Hope to get a copy. I'm currently reading Mike's new book. It is excellent!
Would love a copy.
Another informative podcast, I learn a bit more with each show. If I'm not awarded a copy of the Mechanics Companion, I'll just have to purchase it.
Great episode!!!!! Awesome to see bob on the mic!!! Loved the first question.
Great show. Ben you may be the novice but you make the show a 5 star success.
Great show. Love listening. My one suggestion is that Ben as host develop a sharper ear for techniques or jargon that are not described and redirect the conversation to clarify. The most recent example is hammer veneering. I’m happy to look online but I’m often driving while listening and don’t have a great chance to bookmark my questions to look up later. Keep up the good work.
Excellent combination of questions and personalities. More Bob and/or Anissa, please!
It was great getting to know Bob a little bit better. I also want to thank Ben for the very helpful notes he posts for every episodes... Thank you Ben. And thanks too to Mike for all the love and work he put into his new book.
Good work everyone, and thanks Megan!
Bob VD brought substantial expertise and perspective as well as smart wit to this episode. I hope he becomes a regular or serves as the first of several expert guests to sit in. informally promote business. Consider having Tom McG for a few episodes to promote the 2nd season of the "new" rough cut (btw please change the name). It would be awesome to have more in depth discussion about a few of the projects so he can flex his woodworking knowledge rather than show abbreviated step by step processes.
Thanks guys! Found the discussion on the spring joint really useful. I'll be trying that out soon
Love the show - the banter makes it fun. In for the book, but is the drawing really on the day you posted the video?
The STL podcast link is no longer found at the top of the home page. Is the "Videos" link the only way to find the podcast library now? Or is there another way to get the chronological list of past podcasts? Thanks for keeping them coming they are great.
For Question #2 (Mike)...Apply a generous coat of Titebond 3 with a paint roller to both the substrate and the veneer. Wait for both surfaces to almost dry. Using a hot iron "press" the two surfaces together. The heat will activate the adhesive. This is further described in Mike Burton's book Woodworkers Guide to Veneering and Inlay.
Ben - you were asking about species considerations for spring joints and the topic of size also came up. I use spring joints all the time, in Oak, Cherry, and pine, and the biggest I've done was on a 6.5' white oak tabletop that was 1.25" thick and consisted of 2 boards 20" wide. There was about 5/32 of spring in the middle, but it closed easily with 2 clamps. The top has been together for several years now, and it is doing great.
I think one test of suitability is that the joint should not require a ton of effort to close - you shouldn't have to gorilla 2 or 3 clamps on it to close it up. For shorter joints - say, up to 3' or so, I think one clamp should be able to easily close it.
That's just the way I do it. . ..
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