Clamp vs. glue-up debate after a job in Charlotte went sideways

I was working on a set of custom cabinets for a house in Charlotte back in March, and the owner wanted all face frames glued and clamped with no nails. Fine by me, I thought, that's the proper way. But my helper was rushing, pulled clamps off after only 4 hours, and two of the joints popped loose overnight. The owner saw it the next morning and was pissed. So here's the thing: do you trust a 4-hour clamp time on tight joints with Titebond 2, or do you wait a full 24 hours like the old school guys say? My old boss would tape a sign on the clamps saying "do not touch until tomorrow" and leave them overnight no matter what. On the flip side, I've got buddies who run production shops and they unclamp after 2 hours and move on. Has anyone else had a glue joint fail on them from pulling clamps too early, or is it just me being paranoid?

2 comments

2 Comments

victor7795d ago

Respectfully, 4 hours is plenty for Titebond 2 on a tight joint if the temp and humidity are right. Sounds more like your helper didn't get enough glue on or the joints weren't snug enough to begin with.

hannah4005d ago

Guess the helper was aiming for the "dry fit" look a bit too literally.