Quote Originally Posted by RODaknee6 View Post
Thank you BigMike71
I thank you for your reply.
I was getting very close to retirement with a large chemical company when they pulled operations from this area.
I guess you can say, I kinda went to my lifetime love of woodworking to try to make a living. Hasn't been easy but still plugging away.
I do watch my growth rings closely and about everything I can to get it right but still not where I want to be with this.
I use 95% local hardwoods that I buy from local sources rough. I then plane down to sizes I need. Planer is only 15" maximum width which makes most glue-ups out of the question for planing to finish after glue up.
Most of my glue ups are for sides and backs of finish cabinetry, dressers and such but I also do smaller glue ups for some signs and such on my CNC.
I do have a 4x8 CNC and will most definitely try your suggestions.
Just for reference, I also do a lot of signmaking and murals with the CNC but using sign foams.
I try to use my CNC as much as possible since I love working with it. The time savings and amazing things it can do also keep me near it.
Again, thank you so much!
Several have mentioned the use of big Bessey and Jet clamps though I didn't see anyone suggesting using cauls across the surface to keep the boards aligned. Sanding/scraping/planing are necessary if for no other reason than humidity changes and how the wood responds to the glue used. If you do choose to use cauls, try them with a very slight curve so that they don't bow at the edges of the glue-up under clamp pressure. Good luck.