Question about glueups...

[imahic]

If I just edge glue basswood boards together to make a wider carving surface, will it stay together? How do you guys do it? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm thinking it should be a pretty strong joint but am not sure if it will cup or not after I carve into it. Also does the glue line show with the basswood? I'm wanting to try some relief carvings that are wider than the wood that I have found available.

Mike

[Ashbys]

Hi Mike ,
When I do glue ups I glue the entire seam. The joint has to be flat and flush across the joint. glue applied lightly but across the entire board clamped tightly even pressure will give an almost invisible seam.

In the round cupping will be almost no existent. Because the pressure is released on all sides. In doing a relief then the cupping effect has to be considered. And how you release the effect is up to you. You can cut the back using strips , you can angle the seams , you can use enough wood and add support strips to overcome the effect. Angle seams are a bit harder but work well. But the backing cuts also work well.

There are many threads on the boards if you do a search that speaks about this.

Hope this helps
Ash

[Ozark mountain carver]

You can edge glue basswood with no problems if you follow a few simle rules. I agree completely with what Ashbys says above, and have had good experiences using either Titebond or Elmers wood glue. If you have access to a jointer that and plenty of clamps for even pressure is the best way to a good seam. I prefer 3/4" pipe clamps because they don't flex and they give you a good flat surface to assemble the glue up on. Be sure to weight the glue up so it doesn't bow, and when I am in between carving sessions i always lay the piece face down on a flat surface to help minimize any bow effect from reducing the face by carving.

Good luck, it's not hard to get the hand of!

[imahic]

Thanks for the replies. I carved a Masonic emblem in the lid of a box I made for my dad and it cupped a bit after I did it and I figured it was because of the carving on one side. It was made from poplar but I was curious if basswood would do the same since the grain is not as pronounced. I'll give it a whirl and see what happens.

Mike

[ragiarn]

To prevent cupping you can glue two strips of wood across the back along the top and bottom edges. For instance a 1"x 2" strip with the 1" side glued to the back to form a T.

[pallin]

I have glued up basswood panels to 24 inches wide for carving reliefs. Starting with straight 4" boards, I try to match the grain to mimimize contrast. Carefully check the alignment of the edges and run over the jointer as necessary. Apply glue over the entire edge and clamp with the pipe clamps mentioned by Ozark Mountain Carver. Wipe off glue squeezed out of the seam. After the joints have set and dried, I glue two oak strips across the back about 2" from each end. The oak strips are 3/8" x 1" laid flat or rabbeted into the basswood.