Expert: Jamie Yocono - 11/1/2007

Question
Hi Jamie ,    I've built several octagon angled bases. I want to know how you would atache them. All I do is cut out my pieces then I glue two pieces together. Is there a clamp or jig I could use to assemble these angled octagon.You can go to www.outdoorsmanwp.com and look at my octagon bases.    Thanks, I look forward to your answer. Harry

Answer
Hi Harry,

If I understand your question correctly, you're asking how to glue the octagon bases together, right? Your first sentence said "I want to know how you would atache them" so I am not sure if you're talking about assembling them, or attaching the top to them? I'll try to answer both.

The best way to assemble odd shapes is to use a band clamp. Or some people call them a strap clamp or a web clamp. Same thing. Here is a link, and this page specifically shows clamping a polygon or odd shape.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=31160&cat=1,43838,47843&ap=1

There are many woodworking supply houses that sell these clamps, so look for one in your town.

As far as attaching the top to the base, it depends on your construction method. If the base is open on the bottom, you could install some wooden corner blocks along the top rim. Then screw the top in place from the underside, using the corner blocks to screw into. This is a pretty straightforward method. Or you could use table top clips. Here is a link to those:

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40146&cat=3,41306,41309

These parts are available in quite a few places, I just used Lee Valley to look up these parts for you. But you can find these two things (the band clamps and the clips) just about anywhere.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com