Replies

1. 
   john_c2 | Jun 20, 2019 08:39am | #1

   If the two pieces are flat, that's the tightest but, and the smallest glue line you can get.

   But size doesn't matter. If the grain on the edges of the boards matches well, the final result will appear to be a single board. The glue line will be nearly invisible. The less alike the boards are, the more you will notice. Grain and pattern matching are most important.

2. 
   jbisinger | Jun 20, 2019 12:32pm | #2

   Ah yes, but..... how to get the (2) faces absolutely flat????? Surfacer?(I don't think so). thickness sander? other "tricks"? Further, some glues are so thick that they work against a .005 glue line.

3. 
   john_c2 | Jun 21, 2019 03:39am | #3

   Don't over think it. The folks at NASA can worry about "absolutely flat," but woodworkers don't have to. I'm pretty sure I would do a glue up straight off of the thickness planer.

4. 
   geedubbee | Jun 22, 2019 08:50am | #4

   I agree with what has been said so far. Maybe we need to better understand the desired outcome. Are these two panels that once laminated will be viewed from the edge and therefor you are after the look of a single board? Is the construction such that a piece of edge trim could accomplish your goal?

   
5. 
   colinscowen | Jun 23, 2019 09:04am | #5

   You don't say which of the faces you are gluing, or what the final size should be, but in any case, a nice sharp smoothing plane, winding sticks, marking gauge and a bit of elbow grease. Check out Paul Sellers videos for some more inspiration.

6. 
   jbisinger | Jun 30, 2019 01:29pm | #6

   Responders missing the point of the question? Of course, the pieces "need to be flat". "over-thinking"? No! do you want to drive a truck into the joint(s) of your project? "desired outcome"? title is "smallest glue line" and as stated "face-to face gluing" Finally, yes, want a single board appearance. Any other replies appreciated.

7. 
   chuck_n | Jul 01, 2019 07:08am | #7

   You're not going to get the pieces any flatter any easier than by running them through a thickness planer (I'm assuming they're square and true). That will give you the glue line you are looking for. To get the single board appearance you'll want to pay attention to the grain orientation of both boards so they "flow" together.

8. 
   john_c2 | Jul 01, 2019 08:25am | #8

   Yes.

9. 
   john_c2 | Jul 01, 2019 08:27am | #9

   Some day, when you get around to glueing these two small pieces of wood together, I would love to see how it turns out. Please post a picture.

10. 
    jbisinger | Jul 03, 2019 03:17pm | #10

    What I'd like is probably best seen as the same tight joint on a quality furniture piece. I imagine ,if the mfg'rer. took the time to color & grain match, the glue line would be terribly small and almost imperceptible. Some say .004".