Clamping box joints

[rjwz28]

I am making some serving trays and using box joints on the 4 corners. How do most of you clamps them? when I tried clamping them just missing the protruding fingers with parallel clamps, the sides started to bow in the center and the joint shows some separation. I have the fingers a little proud. Do I need to make some pieces of wood that pushes only the sides of the fingers and not the ends of the joining piece? Can anyone out there show me theirs?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Stone Message]

This is an age old question that some of the woodworking teachers will love to get their teeth into.

I have not done very many and have used two methods.

First, and probably the easiest, is to make the fingers about 0.5mm short so that you can clamp up in the normal way. You do then need to take a plane to the finished item.

The second way was recommended by a woodworking teacher. I have only used this method once because it did not work so well for me but maybe I was doing it wrong. Bring all four joints together and then wrap string around and around so that it catches all of the protruding (male) bits. I would recommend synthetic string that does not form a good bond to your glue - this was the reason for my disappointment with the method !

There are some clever clamps around, designed for mitre or picture frame work, which would help in the case of a tray.

Peter

 

[SittingElf]

I have only used this method once because it did not work so well for me but maybe I was doing it wrong. Bring all four joints together and then wrap string around and around so that it catches all of the protruding (male) bits. I would recommend synthetic string that does not form a good bond to your glue - this was the reason for my disappointment with the method !

Peter

This snippet almost sounds "dirty"! [eek]

Peter, you could easily add erotic novel writing to your CV! [drooling]

(By the way.... I HAVE read, and enjoyed your existing novel and hope you write more!) [thumbs up]

 

[Stone Message]

This snippet almost sounds "dirty"! [eek]

Peter, you could easily add erotic novel writing to your CV! [drooling]

(By the way.... I HAVE read, and enjoyed your existing novel and hope you write more!) [thumbs up]

Please do a review - All my reviews have been 5 stars so far but there are not many altogether.

I don't think that I can do erotic - too old - I can do erratic which is close!

Many thanks,

Peter

 

[gkaiseril]

Use clamping blocks to hold the clamp jaws proud of the fingers.

Gluing Box JointsGluing Box Joints

 

[rjwz28]

Use clamping blocks to hold the clamp jaws proud of the fingers.

Gluing Box JointsGluing Box Joints

George, I tried this method and like I stated, it bows the wood.  I need to clamp all the way to the corners.

Thanks for taking the time to respond everyone.

Rob

 

[bkharman]

This may not be the answer you were looking for but i have a few sets of these and ordered a few more last week...

http://www.woodpeck.com/boxclampm2.html

They are awesome.  After I get this next set, I will have about 20 total with my aluminum and plastic versions.

 

[gkaiseril]

Use clamping blocks to hold the clamp jaws proud of the fingers.

Gluing Box JointsGluing Box Joints

George, I tried this method and like I stated, it bows the wood.  I need to clamp all the way to the corners.

Thanks for taking the time to respond everyone.

Rob

You maybe applying too much pressure. The pads between the clamps and the sides provide a large contact area so there should be little or no bowing.

Many use rubber bands or even tape to hold the items being glued.

You could also try Box Joint CaulsBox Joint Cauls 12-Pc. Set or make your own.

 

[Roseland]

http://www.axminster.co.uk/bessey-angle-clamp

A

 

[Slappy]

This may not be the answer you were looking for but i have a few sets of these and ordered a few more last week...

http://www.woodpeck.com/boxclampm2.html

They are awesome.  After I get this next set, I will have about 20 total with my aluminum and plastic versions.

I've got 16 of the AL ones they are GREAT ,  a ball allan Tee wrench  for the bottom clamps & the knobs for the top make these very quick & easy to use & set-up
they set to square as well