Whenever I make 5,6 or 8-sided boxes I lay out the pieces on a length of blue masking tape while butting the pieces up against the fence on my table saw. I first lay down strips of clear shipping tape on the TS & on the fence to prevent the glue from contacting either the table or fence. Then, after applying glue to all the joints I "roll up" the pieces using the tape to fit all the pieces together & then place the box on the table to make sure the ends of all the pieces contact the table for good alignment. This works very well and all the joints appear to be tight when pulling tightly on the tape.
However, I then use a strap clamp around all the pieces to securely clamp all the pieces together. Lately I've wondered if it is really necessary to use the strap clamp. Would the shipping tape actually be adequate to hold everything together tightly & securely enough for a good bond while the glue cures. So, I'm wondering what you guys do: with or without the strap clamp, or do you use a different method?