chris call
03-11-2014, 3:55 PM
First time poster, long time lurker,
I have a few questions on some best practices for butcher block edge glue-ups. I have attached two pictures: One of the broad view of my glue-up and one of the main problem I am having. First off, the task is gluing up sections of ripped soft maple that will eventually form a large computer desk top for my wife. After ripping the strips, we are also cross-cutting them and randomly sorting them to appear pleasing to the eye (most tutorials on the subject online showcase long solid strips with no seams in the middle of each strip. We WANT seams in our top.)
The problem comes in with these random cross cuts. We are using pocket holes (and butt joints) to join these pieces together so it is easier to glue the long strips together without worrying about clamping from end to end or the pieces sliding apart. There is only room for one pocket screw on each strip (I'm removing the screws after the glue all dries up, anyway) but there has been more than one joint where the screws have not pulled everything together tight enough and there is a small gap in the middle of our table. I know it's not ideal but it's too late and we're just chalking this eyesore up to this being our first lamination glue-up of this sort... I'll fill the void with epoxy. Also, after gluing up the first section, I realized the pieces had a bow in them where the edges (pocket holes) held things together, that I didn't notice during clamping. I was too busy worrying about biscuits and side to side clamping pressure (alternating clamps above and below the work piece) and didn't notice the bow. Guess the single pocket screw did nothing to keep the pieces true or flat (learning experience).
How do we deal with this problem for the rest of the pieces? Could I use a finger joint on the end-grain pieces instead of pocket holes? Will that help to also keep things flat and straight during glue-up? Also, a related question: I made these strips smaller so that they would fit through my power planer. I don't own any hand planes. What would be a good first purchase in the hand plane market to help flatten (join) this top, as all of the glued pieces are just a touch off and could use some love before running through the power planer? A jack plane? Jointer?
Thanks in advance for any help on the subject!
Chris
I have a few questions on some best practices for butcher block edge glue-ups. I have attached two pictures: One of the broad view of my glue-up and one of the main problem I am having. First off, the task is gluing up sections of ripped soft maple that will eventually form a large computer desk top for my wife. After ripping the strips, we are also cross-cutting them and randomly sorting them to appear pleasing to the eye (most tutorials on the subject online showcase long solid strips with no seams in the middle of each strip. We WANT seams in our top.)
The problem comes in with these random cross cuts. We are using pocket holes (and butt joints) to join these pieces together so it is easier to glue the long strips together without worrying about clamping from end to end or the pieces sliding apart. There is only room for one pocket screw on each strip (I'm removing the screws after the glue all dries up, anyway) but there has been more than one joint where the screws have not pulled everything together tight enough and there is a small gap in the middle of our table. I know it's not ideal but it's too late and we're just chalking this eyesore up to this being our first lamination glue-up of this sort... I'll fill the void with epoxy. Also, after gluing up the first section, I realized the pieces had a bow in them where the edges (pocket holes) held things together, that I didn't notice during clamping. I was too busy worrying about biscuits and side to side clamping pressure (alternating clamps above and below the work piece) and didn't notice the bow. Guess the single pocket screw did nothing to keep the pieces true or flat (learning experience).
How do we deal with this problem for the rest of the pieces? Could I use a finger joint on the end-grain pieces instead of pocket holes? Will that help to also keep things flat and straight during glue-up? Also, a related question: I made these strips smaller so that they would fit through my power planer. I don't own any hand planes. What would be a good first purchase in the hand plane market to help flatten (join) this top, as all of the glued pieces are just a touch off and could use some love before running through the power planer? A jack plane? Jointer?
Thanks in advance for any help on the subject!
Chris