I’m building a desk and for the top I’m gluing together 4 boards of quarter sawn white oak. I was going to use a spring joint (I’ve never done one) and I have a question on sequence.
I’ll number the boards 1, 2, 3, 4 and I’ll be gluing them in that sequence. Just to be safe I was going to glue one joint at a time. As I thought about the process I had these questions:
1. Should I create each of the spring joints (i.e. 1&2, 2&3, 3&4) all beforehand (seems that would make the joint making easier) and then glue up pairs.
2. Or… should I create spring joints just for 1&2 and 3&4, glue those sections together, then, once dry, create the joint and glue 2&3.
The reason I ask is, if I choose option 1 and create all the joints first, I wasn’t sure the joint between 2&3 would be changed once the pairs 1&2 and 3&4 were glued.
Thanks
Replies
Face and joint your boards flat, square and straight. Glue and clamp all at once. Spring joints are a useless waste of time.
I wouldn’t say there are a waste of time, even though I don’t use them. There is some validity in the idea the ends of the joints have more pressure and less likely to be affected by shrinking.
I see the logic in the posters question. If you’re doing a sequential glue up, thongs can (and will) change. Since were talking about a few thousands, I would do them as you go, and you don’t need to worry about it.
But, check it you may not have to.
The original post mentioned QSWO. How much shrinkage would that ever have??
Both ways of doing it will work. Whatever you try this time, try it the other way next time.
How wide are the boards? "Springing" 2 oak boards that are already glueups of 2 boards each might be near impossible. You may have to rejoint each 2-board glueup before the finale.
Do you have a lack of clamps for the size of this desk top? Also even with quarter sawn boards the wood needs to expand and contract equally across the top. Over several decades fixing solid wood furniture tops I have found this use of (springing) causes a problem specially between the early and late wood. Greater stress placed on the ends during clamp up causes more movement (expansion and contraction) over time in the center of the panel. This fault most likely will not show itself in your life time.
I would always spring my joints and option 1 is what I would do just to be on the safe side.
If we look at the forces involved and want a uniform result from board to board then glueing all the panel at once would be preferable.
Thanks to all the responders.
Gulfstar, would you glue up with or without the spring joints?
Thanks
Not to answer for Gulfstar. But I don't use spring joints. All of my glueups are great, and have never had an issue. My oldest pieces are 40 years old now.
Others swear by them. That's great too.
The key, with anything, is to check the fit before touching the glue bottle or a clamp. Does it match nicely? Any gaps? If there are, fix it. Don't depend on cranking down on clamps to fix a gap. If a joint is too tight, don't count on a clamp or mallet to fix it for you. Put the glue away, and fix it first.
Spring joints work. And don't, if done poorly. Same with other methods.
Pick a method that you have the tools and temperament for, and stick with it. Get good at it, rather than trying all the things.
For having glued up panels as a hobby for 50 years and worked in a factory where we converted 1,000,000 bd ft of hard maple a year into fine furniture, a straight joint from the rip saw or the jointer is all that is required.
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