F-Clamps or Pipe Clamps

F-Clamps or Pipe Clamps · 02-12-2009, 06:08 PM

I am about to try my hand at gluing panels. I am building a small two-shelf "entertainment center" for LOML's treadmill room. I plan to glue some 1/2" oak to make the 17" x 24" shelves. I am using oak of varying widths, the two widest pieces at the outside edges of the panels.

I have enough of the F-style clamps for the job, but will they provide adequate clamping pressure (as the bars do flex slightly with enough pressure)? Or should I invest in some pipe clamps for the task?

DaveO · 02-12-2009, 06:17 PM

IMO, pipe clamps are better than F-style clamps for flat panel glue-ups due to a more rigid bar. But both are not as good as parallel jaw clamps.
You can make your F-style much more functional by using cauls like Bowclamps or making your own. The use of cauls will counter act the bowing of the F-style clamps thin bars and help to keep your panel flat.

Of course you could go very low tech and make a clamping table that uses wedges and not need any other clamps

Dave:=)

Bas · 02-12-2009, 06:17 PM

I've glued up a dozen or so panels using F-style clamps. If you're using the Bessey Tradesman clamps, no problem. The Harbor Freight ones are OK up to 18", the 24" and 36" flex a bit too much for my taste. But, if you use enough of them (say every 8"), you'll be able to generate more than enough pressure. If you're flexing the bar, you're probably over tightening them.

Pipe clamps are great, relatively cheap, and can generate a lot of pressure. None of which is needed provided you joint the edges of the boards properly. Pipe clamps do have the advantages that they sit on "feet", making it easy to do all the alignment.

The best clamps for panel glueups are parallel clamps. Not because of clamping pressure (they're actually at the low end of the scale) , but because they're really easy to use. Big feet, wide jaws (sounds like my dog!) They're also the most expensive (again, sounds like my dog!).

LeftyTom · 02-12-2009, 07:05 PM

Thanks, guys. I will have a go at it with the F-clamps. The edges are jointed, but there is the micro gap here an there (operator error on the jointer).

Bas · 02-12-2009, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by LeftyTom

Thanks, guys. I will have a go at it with the F-clamps. The edges are jointed, but there is the micro gap here an there (operator error on the jointer).

I've had those. If possible, try to correct it before you do your glueup. A hand plane can fix a lot of problems. Once I had a sizable dip, so ripped a super thin piece (almost a shaving) on the table saw, glued it, then rejointed.

Of course, CA glue and a little sawdust does miracles too

Biggest problem I had with F-clamps is the handles. They get in the way, which you can fix with a platform. I took a box of leftover tile (i.e. something heavy) and covered it with wax paper. Glued the boards and put a clamp on either side of the panel. Then carefully put it on the box (it overhangs on all sides). Then added the rest of the clamps.

Another option is to take a two 2x4's and cut notches for the bars to rest in. Not unlike those K-body clamps

That keeps the handles elevated above the table.

flatheadfisher · 02-12-2009, 10:25 PM

I used the F-clamps for my first projects and they worked fine. But, I bought some parallel clamps (Bas was the enabler there) and I liked them so much that I bought four more. They really work nice.

Here is a great deal on some parallel clamps in the classified section. I wish these were posted before I bought mine. I wish someone would buy them because I keep looking at them!

gator · 02-12-2009, 10:26 PM

My humble opinion only, so it is worth exactly what you have paid for it -----

95% of the time people clamp too tightly anyway. If the stock is properly prepared then the pressure of an F-
clamp without bowing the bar is enough to do the job. In most cases, too much pressure leads to glue starvation in the joint and results in a weak joint.

George

JimmyC · 02-13-2009, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by gator

My humble opinion only, so it is worth exactly what you have paid for it -----

95% of the time people clamp too tightly anyway. If the stock is properly prepared then the pressure of an F-
clamp without bowing the bar is enough to do the job. In most cases, too much pressure leads to glue starvation in the joint and results in a weak joint.

George

Here, here George

JohnW · 02-13-2009, 10:21 PM

Another here here

to George and Jimmy. Too much pressure especially with pipe clamps.