Glue-proof surface?

[Brian Kent]

I want to make a platform / jig that I can clamp some laminated glue-ups to. I can figure out how to do that.
I can use waxed paper on the jig so that it does not glue the piece to it.

But I would like a robust surface that does not need waxed paper each time.

Is there any kind of finish that I could apply to the jig that regular wood glue will not stick to?

Thanks
Brian

[John Lankers]

How about Melamine, glue pops right off and it's cheap to replace if necessary.

[Andrew Hughes]

I use packing tape to cover my forms for bent laminations.Mdf form covered with cork and then the packing tape.

[Mark W Pugh]

Glue on some laminate to glue up surfaces, if you have any extra lying around.

[Cary Falk]

I would use formica.

edit to add "or a coat of wax"

[Roy Harding]

All excellent suggestions, to which I would add - I use shellac on my shop made clamping cauls.

[glenn bradley]

I use packing tape as well. It does need occasional replacement depending on use. I also have tempered hardboard surfaces that have been shellac'd and paste waxed. Glue pops right off, I refresh the wax about once a year. My workbench is MDF flooded with BLO, let fully cure and then paste wax. Glue has been popping of of it for years; again I re-wax about once a year.

[Bill Huber]

I have a few jigs that I use to do glue ups with and I keep a good layer of Johnsons wax on them and it really works good.
Any glue that does dry on the jig just pops right off.

[Mike Wilkins]

A nice wax coat on Melamine has worked well for me. If it is a curved surface, you could try making the curved form, then put a layer of plastic laminate on it, then a good coat of wax. Or just tape some wax paper to the surface. Cheap and easy.

[Randy Red Bemont]

I've used both melamine and a laminate with great results.

Red

[William A Johnston]

I use some left over HDPE, it works great. I had (3) sheets left over from a project a few years ago that the customer supplied the material and did not want the leftover back. http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon7.png

Bill

[Rick Potter]

My melamine workbench top is pock marked with spots where the glue did not come right off. Then again, I never waxed it either. On the other hand, my outfeed table is covered with formica, and glue always pops right off. It also has never been waxed.

Obviously, my vote is for laminate.

[Myk Rian]

Melamine is good for shelving. Nothing else.
Formica/laminate is really good.

[Kent A Bathurst]

Glue-proof surface?

"The more critical a joint is to the integrity of the finished project, the more likely the glue will not adhere".


The Theorem of Joint Failures

[Prashun Patel]

As long as you're using PVA glue, most any finish will allow the glue to pop off. However, I too find like Rick that 'pop off' doesn't mean 'looks perfect after pop off'. I am partial to shellac for this reason. it will confirm to curves, won't contaminate your laminate edges, and can occasionally be abraded and refinished.

In reality, on my jigs and benches, I use ANY can of finish that is lying around (and I have a million of them), and everything but pure oil works pretty well.

[Dan Hintz]

I use some left over HDPE, it works great.

HDPE is about the best you'll get for most types of glue you'll encounter...

[Wade Lippman]

HDPE is about the best you'll get for most types of glue you'll encounter...

Naw, silicon is the best. But a big enough sheet is probably impractical.

[Dave Cav]

Another vote for Formica/laminate. I made a small platform for just that purpose. It's about 2' x 2' plywood with cross bracing on the back and a piece of scrap laminate on the top. I use it for gluing up blanks for segmented bowls and the like. Glue scrapes right off.

[Keith Hankins]

I would use formica.

edit to add "or a coat of wax"

+1. I have that on all my veneering backer boards. Works like a charm (not epoxy).

[Larry Edgerton]

What I use for that is Versatex. Cheaper than HDPE and works just as well. Available in 1/2" 4x8 sheets for about $90. I use a piece to squeeze glue on when using a brush as well, let dry and the glue peels right off and use it again.

Larry

[John T Barker]

Finish. You know, the kind they use in woodworking.