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Clamping Wide Boards

I

N BOOKCASE CONSTRUCTION ANDother large-carcase work, it is
often necessary to join wide boards in an H. Without special clamps,
it is difficult to achieve the necessary clamping pressure. This simple
crowned caul, used with ordinary bar clamps, solves the problem.
To make the caul, select a 1-in.-thick, 2-in.-wide block as long as
your lumber is wide. Plane a crown on one edge, leaving the center
high and each end about a degree lower. Now lay the caul, crown
edge down, across the width of the board to be clamped. As you apply
pressure to each end with bar clamps, the end-gaps will close, resulting
in even pressure across the joint.
—DAVIDSHAFFER,Silvercliff, Colo.

CLAMPING

Tighten clamps to

apply even pressure

across board.

Caul

(crown

exaggerated)