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The Chalk Temperature Dilemma

Chalk temperature of my wood glue = Approx. 47°F or 8°C

The chalk temperature of wood glue, apparently refers to the temperature at which the surrounding air and materials can be at during application, to achieve a good bond.  The dilemma, refers to the tricky situation in which to build a door, to fill a gaping hole letting in the cold outside, one has to use the glue.  It is quite cold in the workshop… It will be so great to have a toasty warm triple glazed window in there.

It be cold outside the workshopSo in the meantime I have been making some clamps, ready for when I can do some glue-ups.  Some of the off-cut bits of oak make some reasonable aligning clamps – nothing that will exert a massive force, just something to keep four long timbers in a line while they are squeezed together with steel clamps.

homemade clamps

A simple arrangement with threaded rod and wing-nut does the job… And some parcel tape prevents stray glue from sticking them to the work-piece (important).

We don't want these babies being glued to our workpiece

2 Responses to The Chalk Temperature Dilemma

  1. Dave

    Forecast for the next 14 days does not include many periods above 6 degrees how are you going to cope? I can drop off a heater if required

  2. Bongo

    I have actually managed a few glue-ups in the last few days. I have taken the fridge thermometer down there – it has risen to a whopping 10 degrees of late. So lets see how it goes and persist without a heater for now…

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