I tried to join the long sides of a couple of narrow glued-laminated boards to make a wider one. I first routed a 3mm groove and cut narrow tongues from plywood. I test-assembled and it fit nicely. Then I applied wood glue (PVAc), first on one side and inserted the tongue into the groove. When I then tried to clamp the boards together, it was impossible to get them to fit properly, despite a large amount of force. There was a gap of several mm.
I suspect it was because the wood swelled and became thicker when I applied the glue. My tongues were split so that any excess glue would have somewhere to go.
Thankfully, I managed to separate the boards again (once again with a lot of force).
Now I'm thinking of trying again by cleaning out the groove and sanding the tongue that's attached to the other board.
What I'm wondering first and foremost is whether I should use another type of glue that doesn't swell the wood. Other tips are also welcome.
I suspect it was because the wood swelled and became thicker when I applied the glue. My tongues were split so that any excess glue would have somewhere to go.
Thankfully, I managed to separate the boards again (once again with a lot of force).
Now I'm thinking of trying again by cleaning out the groove and sanding the tongue that's attached to the other board.
What I'm wondering first and foremost is whether I should use another type of glue that doesn't swell the wood. Other tips are also welcome.
Hello!
It sounds unlikely that the glue would cause the wood to swell that much. It's possible that the glue in the plywood reacted with the new glue, but I've never heard anything like that. Are you sure there wasn't a sliver or something that prevented you from fitting the spring properly? I would have cut new springs from regular timber and used regular water-based wood glue. Good luck!
Best regards, Kristoffer
It sounds unlikely that the glue would cause the wood to swell that much. It's possible that the glue in the plywood reacted with the new glue, but I've never heard anything like that. Are you sure there wasn't a sliver or something that prevented you from fitting the spring properly? I would have cut new springs from regular timber and used regular water-based wood glue. Good luck!
Best regards, Kristoffer
Member
· Västerbottens län
· 18 060 posts
The width of the spring must not bottom out in the groove, several mm are needed. The spring should be pushed down with the thumb.
Yes, the glue makes the wood swell so it can indeed pinch.
It is not the spring that provides the strength, it is mostly a guide and the glue on the edge of the board that holds everything together.
What do you have to pull everything together? Real clamps?
Protte
Yes, the glue makes the wood swell so it can indeed pinch.
It is not the spring that provides the strength, it is mostly a guide and the glue on the edge of the board that holds everything together.
What do you have to pull everything together? Real clamps?
Protte
Yes, the clamps might definitely be a problem. I'm going to get some sturdier ones. I also tried to join the boards, but that didn't work either.
The plan is to sand down the spring that's already in place and narrow it a bit. It may have been too thick from the start because it definitely couldn't be pressed in with a thumb. It could also be that it's become too wide in some spot if it hasn't bottomed out where it's sitting.
Then I'll mill the groove clean and even out the edges again so the glue gets a good surface. After that, test assembly again before I proceed with glue and new braces. Fingers crossed!
The plan is to sand down the spring that's already in place and narrow it a bit. It may have been too thick from the start because it definitely couldn't be pressed in with a thumb. It could also be that it's become too wide in some spot if it hasn't bottomed out where it's sitting.
Then I'll mill the groove clean and even out the edges again so the glue gets a good surface. After that, test assembly again before I proceed with glue and new braces. Fingers crossed!