glueing up a benchtop
Jack Guzman from Maine
>I got an old book that is filled with information about trades.No idea what the title or who the author is.I think it's british and it only says Formula 1 on the cover.
In a chapter about carpentry it describes building a carpenter's bench. In describing the top it states "The top is at least 1 1/2" -2"thick, and made up of two pieces,which are caused to lie close by the following means. When the frame(legs and ties) has been made quite firm and even,the two 11" boards to form the top are planed smooth and true along the edges that are to meet;the outer edge of one board is secured to the frame,and wedges are put under it's inner edge to force it up about 1/2" from the frame;while in this position the other board is thrust as tightly as possible against the first and has it's outer edge screwed down in a similar manner while it's inner edge is raised 1/2".The 2 boards thus form a table with a ridge along the centre,whilst an angular trough separates the inner edges of the boards.In this trough hot glue is applied,the wedges are withdrawn,and the boards are gently pressed down quite flat and secured by screws and heavy weights,the latter being removed when the glue has set."
I found this very interesting and thought I'd share it.---Jack