Marc Spagnuolo's Blog, page 10

The Truth about Parallel Clamps and Why They’re Hard to Review

I recently purchased twelve* different brands of parallel clamps in hopes of reviewing them all. Silly me! While I failed to come up with a fair and balanced set of parameters for testing, I did uncover some interesting truths about parallel clamps that you might not be aware of. If you’re in the market for parallel clamps, you should be aware of these things as a parallel clamp setup is a sizeable investment. So here’s The Truth about Parallel Clamps and Why They’re Hard to Review.

1. The heads on a parallel clamp should not necessarily be square! This was an interesting revelation as many clamp reviews will test the squareness of the clamp head as a metric for overall build quality, assuming an out-of-square head is a negative. And some newer companies that produce parallel clamps will show that their clamp heads are perfectly square as if it’s a desirable feature. But the reality is that the parallel clamp was originally designed by Bessey in 1980 with the heads toed-in and they’re still manufactured that way today. The toe-in helps the clamp achieve a parallel state under pressure (more in this in the video). Out of the twelve brands we have on hand, about half of them featured square heads. Should those clamps be avoided? I suppose that’s between you and your clamps. You may have your reasons for preferring your clamps square in their resting state. Personally, I prefer the toe-in. So while I’m not saying a square head is necessarily a negative, I am saying that a toed-in head is definitely NOT a flaw, but instead a feature.

2. All parallel clamp bars deflect under pressure. No matter which brand you buy, the bar on a parallel clamp will deflect under pressure, raising up at the center and sloping down near the clamp heads. This ties directly into Truth #1. If the clamp heads are toed-in, the deflected bar will change the effective angle of the clamp head so that while under pressure, the two clamp heads are parallel. If the heads are not toed-in, they will start parallel and end up out of parallel under pressure should enough pressure be applied. I’ve seen numerous reviews of parallel clamps that test the amount of deflection of the bar and unless they also include some way to regulate the amount of force being applied on the clamp, the resulting measurements will be fairly meaningless.

3. Maybe parallel clamps aren’t the best solution for clamping panels? I say this last point with some apprehension because I’ve been clamping panels with parallel clamps for ages. Based on Truths #1 and #2, it’s clear that the very nature of parallel clamps is that they will cause a panel to bow when under pressure. But in most cases, this isn’t a serious problem since we don’t need to apply full pressure to close the joints and wood is often more resilient than we give it credit for. But if absolute flatness is critical for your work, you might consider a different style of clamp.

So hopefully this arms you with information that will not only help you when shopping for parallel clamps, but also help you evaluate current reviews more critically. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to pull off a full shootout style review of parallel clamps, but I can give you one piece of advice. Regardless of the brand, pretty much EVERY parallel clamp will get the job done. Some may be better built with higher-quality materials. Some may have toed-in heads and creature comfort features that make the clamp easier or more fun to use. But in pretty much every case, the clamp will hold your work together until the glue dries, and that’s really the point, isn’t it? At least for now, my buying advice is to get the clamp that you can get on sale and then stop reading and watching reviews.

*Easy links to the 12 brands you see in the video in no particular order::

Bessey – https://amzn.to/40V4nz7
Jorgensen – https://amzn.to/3U7zbuv
Bora – https://amzn.to/40DtIy2
JET – https://amzn.to/40U5oHO
Rockler Parallel Clamps
EHOMA – https://amzn.to/3K5brT6
Irwin – https://amzn.to/3m47wxW
Dewalt – https://amzn.to/40UH5JV
Harbor Freight (Bremen)
Peachtree – https://amzn.to/3MlhLIK
Woodpecker (Semble)
Yost – https://amzn.to/3mbrPJI
Bessey I-Beam Clamps – https://amzn.to/3nCi8o5
Rockler Mini Deluxe Panel Clamps

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The Best Online Woodworking School – Wood Whisperer Guild



The Wood Whisperer Guild is the best online woodworking school. We offer a unique and interactive way to learn the craft of woodworking. We’ve been providing the most thorough woodworking courses from the best instructors around the country since 2009. Please note that we are not associated with the Woodworker’s Guild of America.

Here are just a few of the reasons why you should join the Wood Whisperer Guild:

Learn from master woodworkers. Marc Spagnuolo is one of the most respected and experienced woodworkers in the industry. He’s the author of Hybrid Woodworking and Essential Joinery and has been publishing woodworking content online since 2006. We also partner with other instructors who are at the top of their game, and you can learn from them at your own pace in the Wood Whisperer Guild.Access a wide variety of woodworking projects. The Guild offers a wide variety of woodworking projects from an equally varied selection of instructors. Our projects range from beginner to advanced and even the more advance courses are taught in a step by step fashion that any level woodworker can understand.Connect with other woodworkers. The Guild’s private Facebook group and community forum are great places to connect with other woodworkers from around the world. You can ask questions, share tips and tricks, and get feedback on your projects.Get exclusive discounts. As a Guild member, you’ll get exclusive discounts on woodworking supplies and tools. This can save you a significant amount of money on the tools and materials you need for your projects.We are family owned and operated. When you purchase a Guild course, you’re directly supporting our small family-owned and operated business as well as the instructor that teaches the course. Unlike many companies that pay their instructors a one-time fee, we pay our instructors a portion of every course sold indefinitely.

The Wood Whisperer Guild is the best online woodworking school woodworkers of all levels. If you are looking to improve your woodworking skills, connect with other woodworkers, or learn from a master woodworker, then the Wood Whisperer Guild is the perfect place for you.

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You Don’t Need Breadboard Ends – Ask TWW

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00:00 – Intro
00:58 – Bandsaw buying advice
02:44 – Do I need breadboard ends?
How to Make Breadboard Ends
04:06 – Problems with dowels
07:11 – Update on wood storage racks
Heavy Duty Vertical Racks
07:53 – Best representation of wood in video games?

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Beginner’s Cutting Board From the Woodworker’s Point of View!

Don’t miss your chance the pre-order the Greene & Greene Entry Door course! The price goes up March 31st!

Not only is the camera angle different, the focus of this video is aimed directly at beginners. I talked through the build as if this was an in-person class so even the most basic details are covered. And if you are a beginner, please don’t be intimidated by the high level tools I use. Any basic table saw, jointer, and planer can be used to make a cutting board like this. And if you use pre-milled stock, you can do it all with just a table saw. Thanks for watching!

Stuff You Might Be Interested In:Glue Roller 3 Piece Scraper SetTitebond Speed SetPreppin’ Weapon Sanding BlockUse code TWW10 to save 10% at Bumblechutes.comThe Best Food Safe FinishA Better Way to Apply Oil Finishes

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Q&A 3-17-23

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New (To Me) Design – Criss-Cross Table

The base of this large table features a criss-cross design that does away with two of the aprons you’d find in a typical table base. I honestly wasn’t sure if it would work and the only way to find out was to build one. If you really want to go in-depth into the design and execution of the Criss-Cross Table & Bench, you can pick up the course here.

LinksCan’t See The Line? | Marking on Dark WoodCool Miter Clamping TrickNo Domino? No Problem!Titebond DarkAmana Countersink Bit 1/2″ Spiral Up-Cut BitIf you don’t want to make it yourself, you can save 10% using the code TWW10 at Bumblechutes.comMilwaukee Power Planer Sewline .9mm White Lead

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Which Festool Domino? And more! – Q&A

Your Questions:00:00 – Start00:04 – My property and future upgrades/expansions01:43 – What’s the deal with Mortise Chisels?03:43 – Gaming Dining Table out of Ash? Same finish?04:46 – A good finish for walnut?05:59 – Let teak age naturally?07:08 – Which Festool Domino to purchase?Links:Narex Mortise ChiselsHybrid WoodworkingRenaissance WoodworkerGaming Dining Table CourseOutdoor Finishes – Real World ResultsDomino 500Domino XL

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A Napkin Holder for My Special Lady

Back in November, Nicole asked me to make her a new napkin holder. Her only request was that it be a horizontal model that doesn’t let all the napkins come out when you’re just trying to take one. While the project itself isn’t anything crazy, the wood was quite special. I’ve been carrying around a single birdseye maple board for about a decade knowing that one day I’d use it to make something special. And it’s hard to think of anything more special than a gift for the love of my life. So I went into the shop and made this little napkin holder. I hope you enjoy watching it come together.

Get in on my Criss-Cross Dining Table & Bench Course!Check out Ashley Harwood’s Bowl Turning CourseLooking for the video about the tung oil formula? Here it is!Save 10% using the code TWW10 at Bumblechutes!

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A Better Way to Apply Oil Finishes!

Looking for my new Dining Table Guild Course? Go here.

Are you looking for a better way to apply oil finishes? You’ve come to the right place! Applying natural drying oils such as tung oil, walnut oil, or linseed oil isn’t difficult, but you can really screw things up if you apply it like other finishes. So be sure to watch the entire guide to learn not only how to apply oil finishes, but why the method I recommend is the least likely to cause you issues regardless of the oil, the wood, or the conditions in which you’re applying it.

A Better Way to Apply Oil Finishes:

Use a lint-free cloth, rag or shop towel in a small bundle as an applicator.Dip the bundle into the oil and begin spreading the oil across the surface, rubbing aggressively in circles.Apply enough oil to completely change the color of the wood, but not so much that it pools on the surface. Add more oil only after exhausting all of the oil in the bundle.Wipe off any excess with a new cloth, rag or shop towel. Don’t be afraid to rub aggressively as the surface should almost feel dry to the touch when you’re done.Let the finish cure overnight and ideally for 24 hours, then reapply another coat in the exact same way.

How Many Coats:

Remember that oils don’t really build to a film like polyurethane or lacquer. Once the wood is sealed and the finish is cured, there’s a bit of diminishing returns for subsequent coats. And because of the long cure time, it can be a real test of patience to apply more than 3-4 coats to any project. As a rule of thumb, I apply 2-3 coats to kitchen items and about 5 coats to furniture. Reapplication can happen at any time as needed.

Things NOT to do:

Don’t apply too much oil by flooding the surface. If you have a large surface to cover, you can certainly use a brush to spread the oil but make sure you’re not drenching the surface and be quick to spread the oil around as you go. You have plenty of working time with oils so there’s no need to rush.Don’t apply more than one coat a day. Oils take significant time to dry and even more time to properly cure. Applying coats too frequently will extend the overall cure time.Don’t throw your oily rags in the garbage. Lay them out in a single layer on the floor or draped over the edge of the garbage can. After a few days they’ll feel dry and crusty and should be safe to dispose of in the trash. What we’re avoiding here is spontaneous combustion as the oil cures via an exothermic reaction.

Finishes and Stuff I Recommend:

These days, I’m a big fan of tung oil. Hope’s Tung Oil is a great option. If you want to have an easier time applying it with better penetration into the wood, consider diluting it 50% with Food Grade Citrus Solvent.If you don’t want to make it yourself, you can save 10% using the code TWW10 at Bumblechutes.comAnother great option is Milk Paint’s Half & Half.Tried & True Varnish OilWalrus Oil Furniture FinishBlue Shop Towels

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A $35 Hand Plane?! – Q&A

Your Questions:

00:00 – Start
00:15 – Thoughts on Grizzly’s planes?
01:33 – Coping Sleds
02:49 – Problem with Tung Oil Finish
4:32 – Festool Sanders 3 vs 5 Stroke
6:09 – How to Soundproof the Shop
7:30 – What are your greatest influences?
8:22 – Glue for Vacuum Pressing
9:49 – Filling Epoxy Gaps
10:57 – Is Carbon Filtration Helpful?
12:11 – Is CNC a novelty?

Links:

How to Tune a Cheap Block Plane
Hock Tools for Upgraded Irons
Best Food Safe Finish – It’s Not Mineral Oil
Festool ETC EC 150/5 Sander
Kill that Reverb
Check out David Marks
Filling Knots w/ Epoxy

My New Shoes

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