Vacuum application FAQ
All aspects of vacuum and how it is used by the woodworker. March 18, 2002

Does it Pay to Own an Edgebander?
A good edgebander can really boost your productivity, but how much machine you need depends on how much volume you're doing. October 9, 2006

Laying Up a Laminated Door Arch
An extended discussion with pictures goes into depth about various ways to make a laminated wood arch for a doorway. September 5, 2006

Gluing face frame joints
Is the added glue necessary? August 13, 2002

How to Make an Elliptical Jamb
Advice on various approaches to laying up and gluing an elliptical door jamb. December 9, 2013

Are bone-dry biscuits necessary?
Questions about the dryness and size of biscuits. April 24, 2002

Constructing large passage doors
Using the right materials, glues and assembly methods. September 2, 2002

Laminating Stock for Arched Casings
Here's a wide-ranging discussion of gluing and clamping processes for laying up arched casings using multiple thin laminations. November 26, 2007


Test your gluing knowledge
Answer these true-or-false questions to see what you know about adhesives and gluing. 1997

Vacuum-Pressing with a Curved Mold
Vacuum-press inventor and expert Ted Hunter presents this step-by-step illustrated tutorial on making and using a curved mold with a vacuum press. July 16, 2006

Applying Paper-Backed Veneer
A question about the best adhesive to use for paper-backed veneer over plywood leads to an extended discussion comparing professional methods to inexpensive and less-durable DIY options. March 18, 2006

Troubleshooting Glue Joint Failure with Radio-Frequency Curing Machine
Is it the adhesive? The equipment? Wood prep? Or, more likely, a wood moisture issue? June 28, 2014

Vacuum Bag Glue-Ups with the Form Outside the Bag
For large, bulky curved laminations, keeping the form outside the vacuum bag simplifies the process. September 19, 2009

Gluing and Clamping a Curved Laminated Stair Rail
A discussion of the fine points of glue choice, glue mixing, clamping methods, and allowing for springback. March 18, 2006

Gluing and clamping pressure
Is clamping necessary, and if so, how much? January 21, 2003

Curved cabinet doors
What's the most efficient way to build radius frame-and-panel doors in-house? May 15, 2002

Bonding with Radio Frequency Heating
A thorough discussion of Radio Frequency Gluing technigues - 1998

Clamping Techniques for Flat Panels
Tips and tricks for gluing wood door panels up nice and flat. September 27, 2009

Hand-Held Radio-Frequency Gluing Devices
Several companies make portable RF glue-curing guns. Here's advice on choosing and using one. April 20, 2007

Glue Spreader Can Be a Career Ender
A severe glue spreader accident is a sobering reminder of the risks of cabinet work. (Caution: Graphic and disturbing images.) June 4, 2012

Aching Glue Joints
Diagnoses and cures for a variety of problems related to the gluing up of panels in solid lumber. 1998.

Vacuum Bagging Outside the Form
Advice with photos on how to lay up and clamp laminations using a vacuum bag laid over a form — but with the form not within the bag. April 4, 2011

End Joint Gluing
End joint gluing of lumber is an important method for producing long length stock for fabrication into structural products such as trusses, rafters, beams, etc. -1999

Glue Pot and Pistol Technology
Here's a close look at pressurized glue pot and pistol glue applicators, which offer convenience, versatility, and good control. November 15, 2011

Laminating a Curved Exterior Beam
Here's a detailed discussion of adhesive selection and clamping methods for a large, curved, laminated beam for an outdoor structure. March 12, 2014

Radio-Frequency Glue-Up Failures with Hardwood
A door manufacturer gets advice on troubleshooting adhesion failures in an RF glueing process (that occurs only with certain wood species). March 26, 2010

Clamping Pressure for a Hydraulic Cold Press
A woodworker seeks advice on getting good pressure in his shop-rigged press, and a consistent glue line while glueing up 6x6 turning blanks. May 26, 2008

Pressurized Glue Pot Basics
A quick intro to pressure pot glue systems. August 31, 2009

Hydraulic Clamping Press for Laminating Lumber
Thoughts about hydraulic and pneumatic clamps in the wood shop. December 19, 2009

WOODnetWork Discussions: Glue
The correct amount of clamping pressure is vital to a strong bond - 1998

Steam bending and lamination
Switching from glulam to steam bending of curved furniture parts. July 22, 2003

Clamping Equipment
A brief description of the various types of high-volume clamping equipment available today. September 20, 2008

Clamping Veneer Core to Plywood
Advice on clamping methods for gluing two panel faces together without a vacuum bag. July 20, 2011

Production Gluing of High Density Plastic Laminates
This article describes the gluing of high density plastic laminates (i.e. Formica, Debar, Nevamar, Micarta, Pionite and the like) to plywood, lumber core, and particleboard core panels - 1998

Finger Jointing
Finger jointing lumber can reduce waste and utilize marginal material - and in depth article -1999

Vacuum Press Advice
Here are some tips for a woodworker who wants to get set up to vacuum-press small batches of veneered panels. May 15, 2014

Temperature, Surface Prep, and Glue Joint Failure
Clear, simple answers to a question about glue joint problems. Temperature and surface preparation turn out to be the critical issues. April 4, 2011

Gluing Solid Wood Edging to Plywood Shelves
A question about clamps leads to a detailed discussion of slick ways to glue solid edging onto plywood. November 21, 2005

Building a Glue Press
Creating a glue press system in-shop. April 2, 2004

Spreading Glue
Suggested glue-spreading devices for edge gluing, from simple to advanced. December 6, 2006

Glue Joint Failure
Dr. Gene Wengert delves into one of the primary problem areas affecting furniture manufacturers: glue joints. 1998.

Radio-Frequency Glue Curing
Cabinetmakers report varying experiences with RF glue-welding equipment. August 8, 2006

Veneered columns with PVC substrates
The best procedures and products to get the job done right. June 20, 2001

Edgebander Glue-Pot Maintenance
Advice on how to prevent an edgebander glue pot from wearing out prematurely. October 9, 2006

Clamping Methods for Stair Rail Miters
Advice on holding a glued joint tight without leaving visible marks. February 1, 2015

Stacking Stave-Core Glue-Ups
Stacking and gluing multiple layers at once reduces the effective clamping pressure per lamination. September 19, 2009

Speeding Up Panel and Door Glue-Ups
A cabinetmaker gets help puzzling through how best to deploy his clamping wall and his bar clamp table. April 7, 2008

Converting an Old Compressor to a Vacuum Pump
Advice on cobbling together a vacuum bag veneering press out of available equipment and materials. January 8, 2010

Applying Kuhn edging
Methods, glues and clamps to use. April 2, 2002

Adhesive For Paper-Backed Veneer
What kind of glue will hold veneer down to an MDF roundover? April 10, 2005

Epoxy Adhesives: Tips and Techniques
Recommended clamping pressure for, and weather resistance of, epoxy adhesives. February 12, 2001

Door Clamping Options
Nice discussions on setups for clamping cabinet doors in a small shop. February 12, 2009

Big Bulk-Loaded Glue Applicator Ideas
Sources for commercial high-volume glue applicators, and suggestions for shop-rigging your own setup. May 26, 2008

Gluing dovetails and finger joints
Which adhesive is best for these joints? May 15, 2002

Troubleshooting Edge Banders
Uneven glue application could have several causes (and fixes) March 17, 2005

PUR Glue for Cabinet Assembly
Thoughts about the characteristics of hot-melt PUR glue, gluing equipment, and the requirements of cabinet construction. May 23, 2007

Clamping for a Curved Edge
Ideas for clamping curved solid banding onto a curved tabletop edge. October 28, 2008

Clamping Methods for Laminations
Cabinetmakers discuss jigs and techniques for clamping large curved laminated assemblies. July 21, 2005

Making Your Own Vacuum Bag
Project too big for your vacuum bagger? Make your own bag with plastic sheeting. July 11, 2005

Contact Cement Spray-Tank Systems
Cabinetmakers and countertop pros see big advantages to spray-applied contact cement. April 20, 2007

Steam-Bending Hardwood Veneer Strips
A description of the hot-pipe method for bending 1/16-inch veneer strips. February 3, 2011

Speeding Up Gluing Time
The right glue and clamping system can speed production, and a radio-frequency setup can be even faster. February 13, 2013

Shop-Made Veneer Bag Platens
Woodworkers show and tell about their shop-built veneering press solutions. November 14, 2009

Glue Applicator Tips and Tricks
Advice on the practicalities of using a simple glue applicator with hopper — and on higher-end alternatives. January 25, 2013

Using a CNC Vacuum for a Glue Press
You can use a CNC vacuum for laminate and veneer glue-ups or for laminating plywood sheets together. February 15, 2009

Edgebander Glue-Pot Cleanup
A well-used edgebander can be a sticky mess. Here are tips for the occasional thorough cleanup. April 18, 2006

Gluing OSB to OSB
Glue choices and clamping techniques for gluing oriented strand board sheets together, face to face. August 23, 2006

Table-Top Glue-Up Tips
A discussion of whether to use biscuits or alternate board grain alignment when gluing up table tops. December 6, 2008

Veneering to a Bending Ply Substrate
Advice on adhesive choice, layup methods, and clamping techniques for a large curved veneer assembly. September 29, 2014

Veneering Stair Stringers in Place
Advise on adhering paper-backed veneer to curved stair stringers as a retrofit on site. April 24, 2009

Building a Bowed Service Counter Front
Tips and techniques for creating the curved plywood front for a long bank counter.

Building a Curved Form - for Inside the Bag
Illustrated advice on constructing lamination forms for use in vacuum pressing. June 24, 2002

- Spreadsheet Calculation Program -- for Curves, Angles, Compound Miters and Springback
Free downloadable program(s) in both Excel and MS Works, including illustrations that support the formulas.. August 6, 2002

Veneer buckling
Preventing veneer from expanding and buckling through proper gluing and application methods. November 7, 2000

Radio-Frequency Gluing, Humidity, and Wood Moisture
Humidity in the shop is a factor for RF gluing, but wood moisture content is the critical issue. January 12, 2012

Vacuum Bagging Long Slender Solid Wood Shapes
Advice on using vacuum-bag clamping to glue up a long turning blank out of slender wedges. September 29, 2010

Applying Glue to Coped Ends of Door Rails
Cabinetmakers discuss glue applicator technologies. July 10, 2009

Biscuits for face frames
A discussion of using biscuits for assembling cabinet face frames. Pros and cons of biscuits on face frames, and equipment used. November 21, 2000

Making Tight Finger Joints
Glue is holding finger joints open, reports a craftsman. Pros offer suggestions for clamping long boards tightly end to end. November 9, 2005

Clamping and Gluing 45-Degree Corners
Tape, biscuits, pocket screws? Pros share techniques for gluing faces to bases. March 17, 2005

Curved Work - with Form Outside the Bag
Creating vacuum-pressed curved parts with the clamping form outside the vacuum bag. March 10, 2002

Shopping for Case Clamps
If you use dowel joinery to build cabinets, what's the most practical choice in a case clamp system? February 2, 2011

Spray Guns for Contact Adhesive
A simple, low-end setup works as well as anything. January 8, 2007

Assorted Videos for Millwork Installers and Cabinetmakers
January 25, 2007

Choosing Equipment for Vacuum Bagging
A simple blower won't do the job, but the right gear is easy to find.

Contact Adhesive Clogging Feed Line
With the wrong hose, adhesive may thicken overnight. May 10, 2005

Spreading Glue for Laminate Panel Pressing
Advice about hand application of adhesives for fabricating laminated panels. June 5, 2007

Getting great joints in veneer
A discussion of techniques for getting tight joints in veneered work. June 14, 2000

Heated Press Clamping Time
Pros and experts puzzle over a delamination problem with panels veneered on a heated press. October 4, 2005

Clamping Techniques for Consistently Flat Panel Glue-Ups
Jigs and simple methods for maintaing flatness in solid wood panel glue-ups. October 19, 2014

Veneering cylindrical pieces
Applying veneer to drums. (From WOODWEB's Veneer Forum) January 21, 2003

Choosing Glue for an RF Edge Gluer
Selecting suitable adhesives for fast application and curing. May 4, 2005

FSV adhesive
How this new glue is used. April 9, 2003

Is Vacuum Enough Pressure for Urea Formaldehyde Gluing?
A woodworker asks if he can effectively set pre-catalyzed plastic resin glues such as wettable urea-formaldehyde powder using a vacuum bag for clamping. October 27, 2009

Restoring Duncan Phyfe Table-Leg Joints
Advice on how to dissolve existing hide glue, inject new glue, and apply clamps when restoring distinctive antique table-leg joinery. July 27, 2008

Veneer pressing time
Necessary waiting period between hot-pressing and further processing of panels. November 18, 2002

Shopping for a Glue Pressure Pot
Woodworkers share experiences with pressurized glue storage and application systems. June 12, 2013

Production laminating -- is hot or cold press faster?
A laminator looks for time-saving pressing techniques. June 14, 2000

Systems for Filling Glue Bottles
When you use a lot of glue, it's nice to have a system for dispensing it. Here are some suggestions. June 12, 2013

Glue Line Failure with Hickory
Trouble shooting glue line failures when gluing hickory - 1999

Sizing Up Clamp Racks
Clamp carrier systems are useful, but your mileage may vary. January 12, 2012

Radio-Frequency Glue Press Tips
RF curing works well on hardwoods, but not so well for softwood joints. May 10, 2005

Heating a Vacuum Veneer Press
Ideas for heating a veneer press in order to accelerate adhesive set and cure times. May 27, 2014

Cold Versus Hot-Melt PUR Glues
Are the benefits of a hot-melt polyurethane resin glue system worth the cost? February 27, 2013

Constructing a Foam or Plywood Bending Form
Basic info on building a solid form for gluing up curved laminations. February 14, 2010

Gluing Hard Maple -- Troubleshooting Problems When Gluing Hard Maple
Sharp knives, and adequate wetting are critical when gluing maple - June 18, 1999

Glue Choice for Laminate Top Assembly
Advice on adhesive choice and assembly techniques for a countertop joint. June 22, 2012

Clamping Angled Work so it Won't Slide
Pieces that meet at an angle are hard to clamp together tightly. Here are some clever tricks. March 16, 2015

Dowels: Best for frameless construction?
The case is made (no pun intended) for doweling in frameless cabinet construction. 1998.

Laying up laminates using PVA glues
A quick guide to applying high-pressure laminate with PVA glue. September 26, 2000

Gluing Up MDF Laminations
Tips on glue choice and clamping technique for laminating a 2-inch-thick MDF piece. November 24, 2007

Tip: Disconnecting a Contact Adhesive Gun Glue Pot
The proper disconnect sequence will help keep your equipment from getting gunked up. May 27, 2014

Weight Versus Vacuum for Veneering Pressure
A little rough math about how high a stack of MDF you would need to match one atmosphere's worth of vacuum. November 14, 2009

Purchasing a Used Edgebander
Things to consider when evaluating used edgebanding equipment. August 8, 2006

Cleaning Glue Spreaders
How to maintain glue spreaders for peak performance. May 9, 2001

Gluing white oak panels
Because of its density, white oak lumber must be machined carefully for panel glue-up, and assembled within an hour of preparation. 1998.

High-Volume Hot-Melt Gluing Equipment
If you need to do a lot of hot-melt glue application, here is some basic advice. June 4, 2009

Choosing Glues for Flexible Veneers
Different types of glues can be used, but each requires that the proper technique be followed - 1998

Poor Adhesion After Edging MDF
Why has the edge come off this MDF? Maybe it's the glue, maybe it's the method... May 10, 2005

Veneering a Hollow Column
A vacuum bag can be arranged to apply pressure to a cylinder from inside as well as outside. September 17, 2012

Preventing solid edge delamination
What can be done to keep solid edging from coming off particleboard? June 6, 2001

Gluing Stainless Steel to Wood
Several methods will work. May 4, 2005

Press Tack with Urea -- Achieving Proper Press Tack with Urea-Formaldehyde
maximizing pre-press tack in hardwood plywood operations ... investigate: Stand time, pre-press time, spread levels, water content in mix, additives, and resin choice - June 18, 1999

Creating skateboard blanks -- with compound curves
Ideas for gluing up 'longboard' blanks for skateboards. 1998.

Spraying Contact Cement
Woodworkers report success using spray equipment to apply contact adhesive. May 20, 2006

Biscuits for edge-gluing solid stock?
and solution. July 18, 2000

Hot Melts - Fast and Strong?
When strength is important, reactive polyurethane hot melts should be used - 1998

Veneering the Inside of a Drum
Instead of vacuum, use an inflatable tube to apply pressure. October 15, 2009

Adhesive for a Laminated Mahogany Gunstock
Epoxy is a good choice, but the choice of wood could prove troublesome. July 28, 2012

Making a Vacuum Bag Using a FoodSaver
Here's a tip: a "field expedient" method for fabricating a vacuum bag using a shower curtain and a FoodSaver bag sealer.July 15, 2012

Mold Materials that Glue Doesn't Stick To
Suggestions for materials that won't bond with yellow glue, for use in making molds. February 5, 2010

Bag Presses
Source of supply for bag presses - 1998

Using CNC Vacuum as a Glue Press
You can use a CNC vacuum table and plastic sheeting for an improvised "vacuum bag" for laminating panel goods together. Who knew? January 9, 2008

Repairing Loose Laminate
A few techniques to try when faced with this difficult problem - June 18, 1998

How much pressure?
A few gluing tips as well as a demonstration of the pressure that Clam Clamps exert on miters. January 28, 2007

Glue Applicator Choices
Cabinetmakers discuss efficient, non-messy ways to apply glue to solid wood staves when making up door panel blanks. July 10, 2009

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