John Lucas
Charlie I tried stretch wrap which should work like rubber bands. It tended to open the joint once you get to gluing the 4's or 8's together. I guess it was pulling too much on the outside corners. I cut it quickly applied more tape to the outside to close the joint then used tape to pull the inside of the joint together. That seemed to work better but I sure would like to come up with a better solution.
What I'm thinking about is a large clamp made out of All thread rod and boards (think Large adjustable rectangle) to limit the expansion of the arc as I apply pressure to the top of the piece to push the joint together. A little adjustment of the rectangle to make sure the bottom is secure and the proper pressure on the top to push it closes should work.
I have bench dog holes in my workbench so I should be able to rig up a pressure system with a crossbar and some all thread.
I don't know. I have 3 more practice panels to glue up. I'm going to try strapping tape next since it won't stretch it may hold the joints closed better if it sticks to the wood well enough.
Just wondering. I wonder if 2 screw clamps that would go around the ouside and then an all thread rod to go across the bottom. Tighten the all thread to close the inside gap and tighten the screw clamps to close the outside. Or even easier use some strong string across the top and tighten it like a turniquette. I'll play with that last one since it will be the quickest.