83 - How to Clean Dried Glue from Parallel Clamps and make them slide Better Than New

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Күн бұрын

83 - Remove Dried Glue from Parallel Clamps -
So that they Slide better than NEW
Parallel clamps are hands down the absolute best clamps you can own as a woodworker. I could make an entire video on that. But it’s important to maintain them to get a lifetime of enjoyment and service from them.
If you forget to clan the dried glue from your parallel clamps, they will stop sliding pretty quick. I will show you exactly what chemicals to use and what to do to get them perfectly clean and begin sliding better than new.
I ran a little test using dried chips of Titebond III PVA Glue to see what solvent could help solvate the glue enough to facilitate cleaning, and I used 7 solvents in various strengths.
Both Acetone and MEK softened the glue considerably, and since the Acetone was the less aggressive solvent (safer), we used that to clean with.
A respirator should be used in this cleaning process to protect you from the fumes. And for this purpose along with many others in the shop, such as applying stains and finishes, an Organic Vapor respirator is the critical one to have. Plus as a nice bonus it is a P100 rated particle filter, which means it gets 100% of the dust. Unlike regular dust masks, which are N95 rated. They only get 95% of the dust.
It’s also a good idea to wear nitrile gloves when working with harsh solvents. And you should have a silicon mat down to protect your worktable.
Things we used for this project:
Bessey Parallel Clamps 12”
Bessey Parallel Clamps 18”
Bessey Parallel Clamps 24”
Bessey Parallel Clamps 40”
Bessey Parallel Clamps 50”
Inexpensive chisel set
Organic vapor respirator
Extra Cartridge Filters
Nitrile Gloves
Wire brushes (brass & stainless steel)
Acetone - buy locally
Denatured Alcohol
Terry Shop rags
Silicon Mat small
Silicon Mat large
Paste Wax (minwax)
Paste Wax (Howard’s)
WD40 Silicon Spray
BeesWax stick
Other Solvents I use for Different Projects
Mineral Spirits
Turpentine
MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)
Xylene (Xylol)
Toluene (Toluol) buy locally to you
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Пікірлер: 137

@jschatvet 9 ай бұрын

Vinegar works really well man. Much safer too. I wrap a couple vinegar soaked wraps around the bar for a few minutes and it works like a charm.

@mountainviews5025 5 жыл бұрын

We all watch you because you really do things the correct way and we appreciate that and because you are about family thumbs up my friend

@pctatc66 5 жыл бұрын

you were 100 percent correct on the use of a brass brush However I find the best method to clean the bars is to use a brass wire wheel brush on a drill.. it will take care of the glue on the bar in minutes and no chemicals needed

@danmottesheard5294 5 жыл бұрын

thanks for posting. very helpful

@michaell7877 5 жыл бұрын

Scott Kaye sounds really like a good idea. Where did you get the brass wire wheel? Also, what could you use to cover the clamps before doing the clamping? Maybe blue painter’s tape or something cheaper?

@pctatc66 5 жыл бұрын

@@michaell7877 search "brass wire brush for a drill" on Amazon.com. they have a ton of them for cheap

@erictroutman1571 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks James. Always informative and practical!

@357lockdown 5 жыл бұрын

Very informative as always. Thank you James.

@SmallWorkshopGuy 5 жыл бұрын

James, that was excellent! Thanks! Your channel definitely one of the most educational on KZfaq - as a fellow content creator, I sincerely appreciate the effort that I know goes into your video production. And congrats on the family getting a Golden Chisel Award for 2018.

@KingsFineWoodworking 5 жыл бұрын

Small Workshop Guy, thank you! You are very kind. I’ve just gone and checked out your channel. Great stuff!! :-)

@andrewpowell6457 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks James for the great information as always

@dennisfahlstrom7422 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tips James. I try to keep mine clean and have some success with using wax and using a lot less glue than you use. I’ve never had a joint fail yet. I also clean it off the clamps immediately which makes cleaning up easier too.

@thefunbot 5 жыл бұрын

thanks for the advice...great way to clean them up real nice!

@sumosprojects 5 жыл бұрын

Hi James, super cool information this & I’ve got the silicon spray so I’m going to try clearing mine this way, cheers mate 👍👍👍

@linsen8890 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, did I ever need this video. My parallel clamps are in terrible shape, and I didn't know how to get the glue off of them. I didn't think that acetone would soften the glue like you showed. And then waxing the bars to prevent the glue sticking is brilliant. This video really saved my parallel clamps, as I hate using them like they are now. Thanks a ton, James. This is so helpful!

@SFMMGMarine 5 жыл бұрын

Another great video James, thanks for all you and your family do to help woodworkers of all skill levels.

@KingsFineWoodworking 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Dave, thank you!

@marrazzowoodworkingdiy8118 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. I recently purchased some used Jorgensen parallel clamps and they could use a tune up. I only have mineral spirits and paint thinner in my shop so I will need to uograde to the others you listed here!

@KingsFineWoodworking 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

@bobt2522 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I need to tune up my parallel clamps. Of course, I want to buy more clamps now too.

@solsdadio 5 жыл бұрын

I’ve started using strips of grease paper over whatever I’m clamping. I’m not producing work anything like the scale you guys are and it saves me having to use toxic solvents etc. Thanks for all your insights and tips.

@toolsconsumables7055 5 жыл бұрын

Dear James, A great tip for keeping one's clamps in perfect working order. Probably an item neglected by most just as saw blades but need not be overlooked. Even I have learned something with regards to which lubricant is most appropriate, many thanks. Very well done. Kind regards.

@ShiftyTipsChannel 5 жыл бұрын

Great job!

@gregdodd22 4 жыл бұрын

Love your videos James, will be cleaning my Bessey clamps today. Awesome

@wb_finewoodworking 5 жыл бұрын

An excellent video James. I hadn’t tried your experiment so appreciate the fact that you’ve done the work for me. Your chemistry background came in handy. If I do get glue on my clamps I now know which solvent to use. Acetone is a solvent I always have on hand. I also didn’t know that WD 40 made a silicone spray. I’ve been using a different brand. After watching I realize that I now need to add terry cloth towels to my list on needs for the shop. Thanks for all the information. Two points - First make sure that the silicone spray doesn’t drip onto a surface where glue and finish will be applied in the future because they won’t stick & Second I try to prevent glue from getting on my clamps, especially those below the glue up, by covering them with wax paper. It’s a cheap preventive measure that saves me a lot of cleaning.

@rauldemoura2417 5 жыл бұрын

awesome video! THANKS!

@JimDockrellWatertone 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome maintenance tip!

@SendItBilly 4 жыл бұрын

I just did this for my clamps. I used a wire wheel on my drill to clean after the acetone. This was a great video. They are like new again.

@user-hu6kr1ss5o Жыл бұрын

I used this method but ever since the clamps have been leaving blue speckles on the workpiece during clamp up. Have you experienced this problem?

@barstad-9591 5 жыл бұрын

Mr. Chemist 👨‍🔬, This is the perfect video for you. I’m thinking that you had fun planning it and doing the experiment 🧪! Great information. Thanks King Family 😘

@C_L_Thomas 5 жыл бұрын

1 done, 23 to go . . . I like to do all of those things but when doing a glue up I also like to wrap saran wrap around the clamp bar to try to keep glue off of it. Thanks for another great video.

@davidharvey5672 5 жыл бұрын

Very thorough as always thank you

@markbones6669 5 жыл бұрын

I’ve always used a steel brush in a grinder (with a face mask, work gloves, and hearing protection). Less than 2 minutes a clamp. Paraffin on the clean rails and wipe off. Never a problem.

@l1verm0m 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much James - that was very useful. Pleased to see that acetone worked not sure you can get the stronger solvents in the UK! Like other comments I definitely need more clamps😉😉

@222WCSO 5 жыл бұрын

Very good video. Interesting, informative and useful.

@j_moni83 3 жыл бұрын

This was amazingly helpful. Thank you so much.

@Woodden 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great info

@stuffsethmakes 3 жыл бұрын

it's DEFINITELY time to clean my clamps! Thanks for the great info!

@anonymousgeorge4321 5 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thanks

@WoodUCreate 5 жыл бұрын

I just use blue painters tape on the rails. But you have to remember to do it. Still good info on removing old PVA glue. Thanks.

@johnklein4558 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks James! Great tips.

@KingsFineWoodworking 5 жыл бұрын

Hi John!! Thank you!!

@marinusbeimers7293 5 жыл бұрын

That's a great collection of clamps.

@Neibs Жыл бұрын

Fantastic!! Thank you!! Very simple and educational

@BradLobregt 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome video. Thank you.

@KingsFineWoodworking 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Brad, thank you!

@Samsonmetaphysical 5 жыл бұрын

I like using paste wax on the bar to but, for the internal mechanism I prefer Blaster Advanced Dry Lube with Teflon. It's only $4.49 at Homedepot, It also works great to prevent rust on saw blades and to prevent resin build up on the blade. Thank you for taking the time to make this channel.

@dalewilliamson1125 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing James, guess I better get to work on my clamps!!

@carlhillard2950 5 жыл бұрын

Good information on cleaning.... only thing I question is having silicone in the shop... if you ever end up with finishing issues of "fish-eye"- look back to contamination with silicone... your process is now on my to do list for 40 some parallel clamps and 70-80 F-style.... thanks

@jaysimmons2319 5 жыл бұрын

Carl Hillard I agree on the silicone concern. Need to be cautious and control it. Suggest one of the dry lubricants such as used on your table saw gears

@AlexK07010 2 жыл бұрын

@@jaysimmons2319 which one do you use?

@jaysimmons2319 2 жыл бұрын

Any of the Teflon based lubes. Read the labels or content listings on line. Wipe it on do not overuse.

@AlexK07010 2 жыл бұрын

@@jaysimmons2319 ah so Teflon is not same as silicone?

@jaysimmons2319 2 жыл бұрын

To use layman’s terms. Think of silicone as as oil, whereas teflon is a polymer, think very slippery. Oils can cause “fisheyes” in water based systems but also in oil based systems where they are not miscible.

@hassanal-mosawi6049 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that

@snejsnej01 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent, thanks

@timothycottom9929 5 жыл бұрын

As usual James another great video. I am glad to still see the photo bomer lol !

@donngrimes6179 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

@randallsmith7885 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. My clamps are bogging down. Going to get acetone, wax and tune them up!

@perryl5150 5 жыл бұрын

Not a "glamorous" wood project video....... But one that every woodworker can use. Great job!

@happytreeborders9530 4 жыл бұрын

Nice one I realy need to clean my clamps as I always forget them ... I use GT7 (from Tec7) as protection for all my equipment (even electrical stuff like my circular saw, home made table saw ...)

@kevinclark8311 5 жыл бұрын

great tips. What size of gloves do you recommend? Keep up the great work! Cheers

@thepopo2323 3 жыл бұрын

I used warm water with a wire brass brush attachment on a corded drill it's work well, after seeing this video i'll try acetone to see if it's work better. Awesome video as usual sir !

@user-hu6kr1ss5o Жыл бұрын

I used this method but ever since the clamps have been leaving blue speckles on the workpiece during clamp up. Have you experienced this problem?

@knotchtactical5257 5 жыл бұрын

I’m suffering from clamp envy:-) great video! Thank you for the tutorial!

@stevebincolo 2 жыл бұрын

Hey James great video. I just bought some used Beasey Parallel clamps. They were unusable until I cleaned them up using your video as a guide. I meased up and used mineral oil instead of mineral spirits at first, but I went back and wiped down all the plastic parts with mineral spirits. Thus my question. I used a clean rag for the mineral spirits. But what would be the risk if I had used the same rag . @Kings Fine Woodworking

@HBSuccess 5 жыл бұрын

Good vid. Double dittos on not getting acetone, xylene, MEK etc on any of your plastics. Even if don’t see the damage it will pull plasticizers out and degrade the material- ages it prematurely.

@DonsWoodies 5 жыл бұрын

I really need to do this to my clamps. Never even thought about taking them apart. Ha. I do use paste wax on them now, but didn't think about that when I first got them so there is some glue stuck into the grooves. Thanks for this info, especially about the acetone - good to know. One question though. I was always told that silicone is a big no-no anywhere near a woodworking shop, as it will affect finishes in a bad way, get everywhere and be hard to get rid of. Have you ever noticed any issues like that?

@walterrider9600 5 жыл бұрын

thank you

@MREJ63 5 жыл бұрын

Hi thanks for this. Have you tried just Silicone rather than both Wax & Silicone (on bar & thread) & if so how does the wax improve things?

@tonybp965 5 жыл бұрын

I'm the last thi suggest anything to such a master woodworker, but I'm curious. Wouldn't it be best to lay wax paper on the rails prior to glue up. The wax paper would be reusable no?

@wallacewoodworks9582 5 жыл бұрын

I find a 3” wire wheel and a drill work great!

@MacTech007 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent video James! I have several of the same Bessy Revolution clamps. Question > What about using Bostik Glidecote instead of the WD40? Your thoughts?

@HBSuccess 5 жыл бұрын

He’s not using WD-40 which is really a solvent not s lubricant. He’s using s silicone spray made by that Co. Big dif.

@normancarnahan4893 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful demonstration! My only minor suggestion is to use a hair blower to lightly warm the metal surfaces as you apply the beeswax.

@mauriceryton 5 жыл бұрын

A heat gun works great too. No harsh chemicals required.

@colinator2999 2 жыл бұрын

you da god for this one

@rinagent Жыл бұрын

Great video, thank you! The product description links seem to be broken. Is it possible to re-link? I'm specifically looking for that red silicone mat (today). Thanks!

@whirled_peas 5 жыл бұрын

Also worth mentioning lubricating the threads in your clamps will allow them to clamp harder. There's a lot of pressure on the thread and just a tiny bit of slip does a lot to let it continue to be wound.

@KingsFineWoodworking 5 жыл бұрын

Yes. Good point. I believe I mention that in the end when applying the silicon lubricant to the threads.

@whirled_peas 5 жыл бұрын

@@KingsFineWoodworking Ah so you did!

@mikeygee2465 3 жыл бұрын

I know this is a year old, but I just watched it again. Just for a refresher. I am curious if you have an opinion about using white vinegar, as some have suggested? Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

@FrankRau 4 жыл бұрын

Hi James....have you tried Vinegar . Works great! and cheap!

@gregprice1019 5 жыл бұрын

I make a beeswax paste that I use to treat butcher block. Since it’s a mixture of wax & mineral oil, would you advise against using it on clamps as you do with just the beeswax?

@kunderriner 5 жыл бұрын

I recently came across a fabulous method that requires little to no effort and a very safe and inexpensive solvent - vinegar. I don't want to post a link here (just search for "clean clamps with vinegar") in the youtube search. Method is simple: build tubes with PVC pipes & end caps that are longer than and slightly wider than the clamp bar. Disassemble clamps. Fill tube with distilled vinegar. Soak clamp bar for 2+ hours (overnite). Remove bar, rinse, wax, reassemble. If the build up is heavy, you'll need a longer soak time. If the soak time is long enough, all glue gets fully dissolved. If the soak time is light, then the glue will be softened (not dissolved) and easy to wipe. The one down side, and from my research, this isn't a problem: the shiny chrome(?) finish on the bars will be dulled with long soaks.

@befmx31 5 жыл бұрын

Wow, what a difference.

@mauroamorim5197 5 жыл бұрын

Meu sonho ter um grampo desse.

@Spills51 10 ай бұрын

So does MEK dissolve like acetone? IU agree it makes sense to use the safer effective solvent unless Mek hangs around a bit....problem I have with acetone is it evaporates in seconds....

@tonyioannoni4951 5 жыл бұрын

Like usual, very informative thank you! So the moral of the story here is, you better wash out the most of it when you finished applying the glue, else it will become a bigger job afterwards.

@AlbiesProductsOnline 5 жыл бұрын

Before a glue up take a hard wax candle and rub it across the grooved ribs of the clamps it will fill them with wax but still allow the clamp to work smooth and to clean after just use some warm water and a cloth and you will never have glue in the ribs again

@IlanDavid 5 жыл бұрын

I like to clean plastics with alcohol as well, but I don't use denatured alcohol. I use single malt whisky. I've noticed that 18 year old or above works best.

@themeat5053 5 жыл бұрын

James, what happened to the series on tools?

@Rocket62AL 10 күн бұрын

How did you apply the solvent???

@rosannefarrell1243 5 жыл бұрын

Wow

@DragonGateDesign 5 жыл бұрын

Great video, why does the alcohol say "fuel "? Sounds like you got a bit of a cold, hope you get to feeling better

@MJFacas 5 жыл бұрын

Shaun Kennedy denatured alcohol is ethanol with extra stuff to make it undrinkable. Ethanol being the alcohol in beer, wine, and liquor as well as the additive in gasoline. You can thank the corn growers for higher gas and food costs for a product the is actually less energy per gallon. Denatured alcohol can be used is some camping stoves and in backpacking stoves designed specifically for alcohol.

@jaysimmons2319 5 жыл бұрын

You can actually thank our elected representatives for subsidizing and requiring use of ethanol in gasoline.

@johnniewarren3049 5 жыл бұрын

I also like to use terry cloths and found if you get someone who has potty trained a baby you can buy them quite cheap, I picked up 18 for £5 uk which is real cheap

@williamellis8993 5 жыл бұрын

Good video, James. I would just caution anyone to be EXTREMELY careful when using xylene or toluene. They are highly flammable and can be carcinogenic.

@pkulesza1234 3 жыл бұрын

They’re all highly flammable

@kenf2662 2 жыл бұрын

James, what sizes of pararel clamp you have

@KingsFineWoodworking 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, I use 12”, 24”, 30”, and 54”. I have 18 of each of the smaller three sizes but only because I used to do production cabinets. For the 54” clamps, I only have 4 of those. I don’t use them very often. Parallel clamps would ideally be bought in pairs. And if you could only buy one size, I’d recommend the 24”. I use those way more often that all other sizes put together. As for clamp manufacturers, I’ve used every one. I have mostly Jets & Besseys because I’ve gotten them on big sale. But the Jets, while nice, are NOT worth the full price they sell for. Which is about $154 for a pair of 24” clamps. I bought mine many years ago when they had a very rare 1/2 price sale. The Jorgensens are fantastic! And only $88 for a pair. That’s the best value out there right now. And if I had to buy them today, it’s probably what I’d get. amzn.to/3GMXdnT

@kenf2662 2 жыл бұрын

@@KingsFineWoodworking Nice Thanks, Better then using a beam clamp ? I am in the market for a large amount.

@KingsFineWoodworking 2 жыл бұрын

@@kenf2662 hi. A beam clamp isn’t better or worse. It’s just different. If you need 7000 pounds of clamping force per clamp, then you need a beam clamp. If you’re clamping up panels, and you want uniform pressure along the clamp jaw top to bottom, use a parallel clamp.

@thedivinehammerswoodworks1895 5 жыл бұрын

I just use my bench grinder with a brass wire wheel, 2 minutes and I am done, then reapply past wax.

@nathanielharms9931 5 жыл бұрын

I don't know what you're about to say however I simply car wax everything that has the possibility of getting glue on it except for the project and the newspaper. When the glue dries it's a simple matter of using a putty knife to remove the glue from everything except for the project and the newspaper...

@kbent88 5 жыл бұрын

Acetone will seep through Nitrile gloves very quickly.

@zachrichmond6164 3 жыл бұрын

Can you just burn the glue off with a torch?

@kenf2662 2 жыл бұрын

look at all that Purple Heart

@pramodccpramod5442 5 жыл бұрын

@micdiva 5 жыл бұрын

Ive heard silicone products can hirt a finish. Have you ever encountered that?

@bmay8818 5 жыл бұрын

True. I personally wouldn't use any silicone lubricants on anything that would touch something I planned on finishing. The silicone mat should be fine though. I think.

@micdiva 5 жыл бұрын

@@bmay8818 yeah i know ive heard it would mess up a finish but also usually when using those clamps youre usually not going right to finishing

@HBSuccess 5 жыл бұрын

micdiva a Silicone mat is inert. My glue brushes are a solid silicone compound. Those can touch wood- no problems. Spray silicone OTOH is evil and will ruin any finish BC it repels almost everything. - and once you introduce it to your environment good luck getting rid of it. Touching /handling those clamp rails with the silicone spray will transfer it to your stock, your tools, etc etc. even if you don’t have trouble at first - give it a few years and it becomes impossible to track down. Personally I’d avoid that like the plague on anything I was going to handle. Light machine oil works just as well on clamps and is easy to control. It’ll also ruin finishes but you can get rid of it before finishing. I worked in a production shop while in college - they saturated their steel clamps with used motor oil !! No glue on the planet would stick to it and while it did mark the stock, it was gone with the first pass through the planer after glue-up.

@nathanielharms9931 5 жыл бұрын

If you're talking about cleaning the glue off of your clamps honestly I have no clue I've never had glue stick to my clamps

@tangodeltapapa4675 5 жыл бұрын

Gee, maybe I'm using excessive amounts of glue.

@joeymerrell8585 5 жыл бұрын

That blasphemy isnt accepted here! Lol

@WARPapaRouge 5 жыл бұрын

Looks like you need to buy a few more clamps.

@michaelscottcutler3627 3 жыл бұрын

PVA dissolves in warm water!

@SavageVoyageur Жыл бұрын

You can clean these up way faster with a brass brush wheel on a bench grinder. No chemicals needed. Wear your safety glasses.

@user-hu6kr1ss5o Жыл бұрын

I used this method but ever since the clamps have been leaving blue speckles on the workpiece during clamp up. Have you experienced this problem?

@facebookmakesmesick 2 жыл бұрын

Ok mine aren't that bad yet but I knew about taping them but haven't because I'm lazy...gonna start using tape before all my clamps are useless...btw that's alot of fucking purple heart Jesus.