Replies

1. 
   Lataxe | Oct 09, 2009 02:23pm | #1

   SS,

   I bought ready-made clamps of the type you describe:

   http://www.dbkeighley.co.uk/masters/scheppach_1100_1250.htm

   These work extremely well, take up little space and are very well made.  They can deal with very long (as well as short) panels but the width is limited to around 1 metre (3 ft 4ins).

   Here is another version, although I don't know that York have a US importer:

   http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-York-Professional-Panel-Press-20340.htm

   But if you want to make your own version of this type of vertical edge&face clamp, here are a couple of options:

   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=3&p=31181&cat=1,43838

   http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-Four-Way-Clamping-System-22116.htm

   Lataxe

2. 
   hammer1 | Oct 09, 2009 02:46pm | #2

   There are a couple systems that busy shops use. One is a clamp carrier. There are many different types, hand operated to hydraulic. You may be able to find one at an industrial machinery auction. Another is a high frequency electricity glue table. These often have pneumatic clamps that only have to hold the panel for a few seconds. A high frequency electric current is shot through the glue, setting it up within seconds. Panels are completed as fast as you can load the table.

   http://www.jamesltaylor.com/products/edge_gluing/taylor_express.php

   http://www.jgmachinery.com/detail/index.php?itemid=9730

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   jonnieboy | Oct 11, 2009 09:04am | #3

   Tatekata,

   I'm not sure this is heavy duty enough for your purposes, but I thought of it when I saw Lataxe's suggestion.

   http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2000321/WoodRiver-Clamping-System.aspx

   I don't own one, just remembered seeing it in the Woodcraft catalog.

   Also, what about veneer press clamps? You can do some heavy duty pressing with them. They're just the screws, though. 

   How about that, I found them in the catalog as well.

   http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2004362/8952/Veneer-Press-Screw.aspx

   I actually do own some of these, but haven't had time to get a press system set up. Big help, eh?

   --jonnieboy

1. 
   tatekata | Oct 11, 2009 09:52am | #4

   Thanks a lot for the suggestions.  I got a few good ideas in the earlier posts too.  I'm tempted to buy the veneer press screws, they seem to be what I'm after....if I can make a decent press setup...

   Now I just have to find the time to do it...!

   Thanks

   SS

1. 
   jonnieboy | Oct 11, 2009 04:12pm | #5

   Tatekata,

   I'm trying to think where I saw an article on how to make cauls. Maybe someone else know which one I mean.

   Hey, let me know how it turns out.

   --jb

1. 
   Lataxe | Oct 11, 2009 08:47pm | #6

   J,

   Is this it?

   https://www.finewoodworking.com/item/1686/shop-made-veneer-press

   Lataxe

1. 
   jonnieboy | Oct 12, 2009 07:10am | #8

   Lataxe,

   That's not a bad press. It's not the one I remember seeing, though. The one I have in mind was a platen with a couple rows of press screws. I've been looking around and can't find it again. Slide the piece in, tighten down the screws. No seventeen pieces falling all over the place.

   However. In my travels I did find this website. Wetzler. I'd never heard of them. They look like some high quality clamps. Their gallery of pictures is terrific.

   http://www.wetzler.com/press.shtml

   I don't know, I might have to change my mind about craftsman-style clamps. You know the ones; you pick them up, always with one hand, and the screw section chatters down the bar as you try to catch it. After you use them, they do the same thing when you try to hang them. Handy. Doh!

   --jonnieboy

    

    

2. 
   MrSQL | Oct 21, 2009 03:23am | #9

   I've used the equi-pressure clamps featured in the woodriver clamping system for years.  It was so easy to do glue-ups that I taught my 11 and 13 year old sons to do it for me.  they pretty much glued up all the panels for my kitchen and bathroom cabinets.  

4. 
   dmdnk | Oct 11, 2009 09:42pm | #7

   I use a shop made clamp table and pony clamps.  The top edges are notched for the clamps as in the image.  For a permanent station, use 2X8's- drill a row of holes down the center then rip it in half.  For a portable model, use plywood and hang it on the wall when not needed.

   During glue up, alternating clamps top and bottom keeps the panel flat.  Once clamped, the panels can be leaned against the wall, stacked under the table, or left on the table until dry.

   David

   
5. 
   stevo1952 | Oct 29, 2009 06:45am | #10

   Tate,
   The best system I saw was in a magazine.
   The guy there screwed pipe flanges into his ceiling joist and spaced them every 8 - 12 inches. He then screwed in his pipe clamps so that they hung from the ceiling and the panels could be put in them. When not needed, just unscrew the pipes. To flatten, either alternate, or clamp on a couple of straight cauls.

   Stevo