Expert: Eileen Cronk - 10/9/2007

Question
when clamping boards together how much pressure should be
applied

Answer
Hi Richard
Nice to hear from you.
Well, I've clamped a lot of boards together in my time, and of course you can apply too much pressure as well as not enough.
So how much is enough?...and how to explain it LOL
First I like to see a bit of glue squeeze.
Second I never try to force the clamps. Just tighten till you are comfortable. Once you think you are using force, its too much..back off. You will know the feeling after you have done it a while...which perhaps you have.
Being a woman, I do not have the strength in my hand that a man does, but I have enough that I could over tighten the clamps. The result of this will make the glue ineffective as most will squeeze out.
So once the gap looks closed, I look for a small line of glue squeeze along with tightening comfortably.
It would be much better to under tighten than over tighten.
As with any woodworking job, force is never an option.
Good Luck and great question.
Regards
Eileen