glue up gap

[juststartingout]

Hi all,

Seeking some advice.  I glued up my two large slabs 10' x 2' x 1.5" and after a hectic glue up and cure, when I took off the clamps I noticed a small gap running the length of the bottom side of the glueline.  From the top of the table there is no gap but on the underside of the table there seems to be a very small gap.  Imagine the glue line like an upside down V in that the table top has a good contact but the bottom has a very small gap

 

[rvieceli]

Personal use? Selling it for big bucks?

Makes a difference  [wink]

Ron

 

[juststartingout]

personal use.

 

[rvieceli]

Check with a good straight edge across the top and make sure that the top and bottom are flat across the surface. One possible reason for the gap could be that the two pieces bowed as you tightened the clamps. If it’s bowed significantly you might want to redo it and use cauls to keep it flat. Also try to determine how deep the gap goes. If deep you might want to redo it.

If it is flat and the gap at the ends of the table are something you can live with, it’ll probably be ok

Ron

 

[Oldwood]

" I plan on putting some metal C-Channel to keep the wood from moving "

You can not keep wood from moving. You need to accommodate the movement.

I think the gap is due to the boards not being in plane when glued up or no having a 90 degree edge before gluing. I tend to alternate the faces against the fence of  the jointer to cancel out any error.

Gerry

 

[Michael Kellough]

Posted this on the belt sander thread but it applies here more.

Why flatten boards before glue up? You can’t even rip a board properly without flattening first. If the ripped edges aren’t square to the surface you can’t get a gap free joint at glue up.

On the other hand, if you’re careful and lucky and have a table saw you can rip the boards cupped face down then alternate the faces at glue up and get fairly close but you’l Still have a lot of work to do post glue up.

 

[dltflt]

Did you put clamps on both sides of the glue up? 

 

[tiralie]

... or if its good to go?

You are good to go. Since it's for personal use I would just keep an eye on it.
Tim