The Framers Forum

Dear Framers,
Another Joining Q! I'm only at the low end hobby framing (for now) my big problem is getting a clean joint. I use a handheld guillotine clamp and nailer. After applying the glue and nailing how long should this be left, it seems to be the when I release the clamp the top end of the moulding opens.

In summary, my joints are hit and miss and leave me disheartend!

Q
Should glue always be used?
Should I have 4 clamps?
How long should I leave the frame in the clamps for?

Thanks in advance.

V-Nail.

Hi,

Good quality wood glue such as Strathbond should go off within 10-15mins, some take a little longer.

Its been a very long time from I used glue and clamps, but what I used to do (before I got my first underpinner) is leave the frame clamped for about 30 minutes and then push in the wedges with a push tool. Was a bit of a pain, but worked fine.

There is a glue on the market called Gorilla Glue, a USA product and apparently it holds about almost everything, and got a very good initial grab and goes off very quick. Most good DIY (except B&Q) stock it. One of my students got a bottle from the states and swears by it, for me I use what I Strathbond Wood Glue, its basically what I have always used, so no need to change.

Even with most framers using underpinners of all makes and quality, and 'supposed' to be gluing the mitres, the glue manufacturer recommends leaving the frame for about 30 - 60 minutes before working on........now many actually do leave it that amount of time?? Prempting any answers, I would think....'very few'. I am also very shocked that a lot of framers dont use glue at all, just the wedges or other mitre fixing, its not the wdges that hold the mitre...its the glue,the wedges only hold the mittre tight until the glue dries throughly...some still think its the other way round....but how and ever

Steven

Hi Steven,
Thanks for your reply. I am now the proud owner of Gorilla Glue!!! And I'll put your advice to the test!

Thanks alot.
Drew