DIY Adjustable Clamping Jig - Glue Ups, Panels, Cutting Boards

[@katzmosestools]

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[@blakelankford6930]

I like the idea of throwing a french cleat on the back, and hanging it on the wall to dry. We who work in small shops appreciate this!

[@williamclark9743]

I really like that you don't hide the mistakes, but offer and implement solutions. That's awesome and helps me out a lot.

[@Melonate248]

I love how you humanize your video's by showing your mistakes and how you go about fixing them! Mistakes are an important tool for learning.

[@johnhutton7708]

"We fix our mistakes, but there's not much to fix on this one."

[@khogg3581]

The music in Jonathan’s videos often has me wondering if I’m watching a woodworking tutorial or a pickup truck commercial.

[@davidcaverly9659]

Huge shout out to anyone who is both responsible and kind enough to watch a diabetic dog! My ~11 doberman is diabetic and it's no easy task to monitor and manage her glucose. Lucky you for finding such a person.

[@swissfreek]

Man, I think MTM Wood might have been one of the very first woodworking channels I found a zillion years ago. Such good videos.

[@swissfreek]

Bryan Hunter I think “ripped off” might be a bit harsh. Even if mtmwood had the exact same video (which I’m not seeing), it would be in Russian.

[@Lorddanielrushton371]

This is why I like watching your videos. When you make a mistake, as rare as they are, you own them and do not hide or "remake" it. Thanks for always being honest with us. Makes me try new things.

[@danieljj39]

I watch your channel often and I agree with Nathan. Mistakes are at least as important as successes. I agree, you should always show them and how you fixed them.

[@timthomas9105]

This would work for furniture and cabinet builds. And as you said the size can be varied.
One suggestion for anyone building this: From a longevity perspective covering the part that is getting pushed by the bolts with a strip of galvanized sheet metal, 1/8 inch steel bar will still have flexibility and not damage the press board.
Also, since everything moves and the bolts are long, adding a 1/4-20 nylon nut BACKWARDS will effectively double the pressing surface area of each bolt.

Nice jig
Suggestion : alternate the bolts on 2 levels to be able to control the height of the resulting clamping force. This way you can set it to the median plane of the panel and thus avoid bending whatever the thickness of the panel.

[@fabianherrera5427]

Like I think some others may have said threaded inserts instead of tapping the wood would most likely work better and would allow you to use softwoods.. and they’ve gotten cheap af too.. love the video!

[@silver-hy6mi]

Great idea Johnathan, the only thing extra I might have done is inlaid a strip of aluminium in the call against the clamping bolts for add pressure and stops the bolts sinking in! Other than that it’s a fantastic shop tool.

[@lehcim777]

Hi Silver, I'm here trying to visualize what you are saying, English is not my first language, could you explain please sounds interesting. Thanks.

[@gregschlierf2931]

i think I would have also put a threaded insert in the holes. That wood tap is gonna wear out. (You just have to remember to put them in in reverse.

[@silver-hy6mi]

Yes maybe a tee-nut would be good, I don’t trust wooden threads!

[@cheryldawkins7486]

I can't wait for the weather to warm up, so I can build this jig! I tend to overwritten clamps and cause myself extra work. Thanks so much.

[@dennisandrews8485]

I like it. I think I'm going to make one. And, by the way, I also liked you didn't edit mistakes. Anyone thats in woodworking is going to make them no matter who they are.

[@tmhirsch65]

Awesome build (as usual)! Glad you could put the plywood chip-out behind you and power through to the end! 😄😄

[@SpencleyDesignCo]

This jig is 🔥

[@dgonner3261]

Great idea for hanging on wall for the small shop!!

[@joeymerrell8585]

And just in time for me to place an order w total boat. Thanks JKM!

[@_WillCAD_]

Is there some reason why you can't use t-nuts on the fence instead of threading the wood? No matter what you do, even in hard wood, the threads will eventually wear down with repeated tighten-loosen cycles, but t-nuts will last pretty much forever.

[@ongtangcofamily2846]

Maybe threading the wood holds better especially with that amount of clamping pressure? I'm not sure too

[@carterscustomrods]

@Ongtangco Family it definitely would not hold better... even the cheap zinc threaded inserts would be stronger and hold better.

[@thebestbuttonever]

I just glued up a cutting board, and the first glue up I didn’t get enough clamping pressure, so there were a bunch of gaps, and the next glue up I got too much so it was very not flat. Definitely going to give this jig a try!

[@markdelgado7677]

@ 6:47...learned something new! The depth gauge setup.

[@cuz1mchr1s-woodworkersden45]

You've had my curiousity, but now You have my attention!

[@christofix]

Great build and nice video again my friend. Thanks for inspiring us.

[@tekviper9]

Love this panel clamp build , Thank you for sharing Jon!

[@BiggMo]

Total respect for not hiding mistakes on the channel- helps us all learn how to solve problems.
Also, at 0:40. Interesting you used your dado set without any insert installed. I guess with a panel that big it’s safe, nothing should fall in. - just goes against my nature to have an opening that wide with a saw running.

[@rickgordon8377]

You are very deep Johnathan. Like to see you make a version far more simple but adjustable for a range of sizes and just as thorough when applying clamping pressure

[@stevetobias4890]

Excellent video and a great clamping jig, best I have seen!

[@fabriceseverin8030]

Very nice tools clamp for woods !

[@W4TRI]

Planning on building one of these on an old drafting table. Thanks for the idea on the clamp!

[@cnich0168]

Great video, wish I knew how the buckling caul would clamp down or you had shown that once on one of the glue ups. I think I'm just not visualizing it but once I make it and have it in my hands I'm betting it will make sense and come together. I don't have taps so either have to pick that up or considering using nuts and washers instead for even more longevity.

[@gregmislick1117]

if you reverse the 1/4-20 clamping bolts - or even better get 1/2-20 Carriage bolts, screw them in fromthe work side of the fence (so the opposite side from the way you did it) - then just put a pair of jam nuts on the loose end of the bots (tighten them up until the flats aline so that hte socket slides over both, then they will stay locked forever...)
This gives you a "pad" against the caul, so that you get more pressure transferred to the glue up and less into crushing the fibers on the caul.
Very nice update to MTMWOOD's glue table - he does NICE stuff I have to say

[@audreyhackworth3843]

Love this!! Do you have the plans? I’m old and can’t remember squat. Lol

[@user-qg6fy4yp8t]

Great video, thanks!

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty impressive work, dude! Works fantastically! 😃
Stay safe there! 🖖😊

[@craigmoscarell2027]

That's some irony, gluing plywood back into a panel :P

Great idea!

[@funkypunkypine]

Wish you had plans to buy for this. Brilliant!

[@dgsecure8079]

I think the 1/4-20 clamping bolts are two small, probably better with 5/16 or 3/8 so they dont flex as much when extended. The clamping caul also tends to move up and the fixed portion with the clamping bolts slides back no matter how tight the knobs are tightened.

[@douggarson50]

Great video and panel glue up jig, not sure what keeps the panel flat other than the jig keeps the clamping pressure horizontal. You touched on the idea of a caul to keep panel flat maybe you should include a couple of cauls to keep panel flat and show in more detail. I think it would be an easy and desirable addition to the jig.

[@charlesyambao7521]

You sound like Jimmy Kimmel I had to double check if I clicked the right video. You also resemble him! LOL Nice work!

[@kenluning909]

Nice concept. Need to make one for upcoming projects.
Thanks for sharing

[@hippoandbearmakes3416]

Cool jig!! Great idea!!

[@michaelmiller5177]

Sweet jig

[@BruceAUlrich]

Pretty sweet jig! I make a lot of cutting boards and panels, so I might have to make one of these. I might make it a little bit deeper to hold two of the common cutting board size I make.

[@caiocallor]

I didn't d know that Jimmy Kimmel has a woodworking channel on UA-cam! Great channel!

[@SuperBulegila]

Jonathan, do you have plans for this awesome panel clamp? It's one of the best I have seen.

[@jordanwilkinson7368]

If only these power tools actually played sweet jams.

[@BlackDogWoodwork]

Fantastic 👍😎

[@ivanruzevic981]

Awesome idea tnx for the inspiration and as always a really fun and educational video. I will try to build this for my shop

[@luisvasquez581]

I’d seriously like to buy one

[@zaxewoodworks6600]

Awesome! Gotta make one!

[@Kris-82]

Great idea man, thanks!

[@TLAS]

Really wish you’d show the completed build at the beginning of your videos.

[@TheNachoDaddy]

Great video, I'm making this for my shop. Thank you for the coupon code at Total Boat. I didn't realize it was 15% off PLUS free shipping!

[@Airn5475]

Love the concept and design! Wonder if overtime the glue squeeze out on that bottom will wreak havoc on the tracks? Need an easy way to wipe the glue off the underside.

[@GoSloSho]

Is this what it's like to be early in the comments section?

[@katzmosestools]

The spammers were out early. Had to delete 6 comments right off the bat hahaha

[@retiredrookie7146]

Came here to say the same thing 8 hours later.......😂

[@carlkok808]

Can I get some spacing dimensions on the panel jig

[@ericluba6287]

Hey I have a suggestion you should put in a 1/8 inch strip of steel or some kind of metal for those bolts to hit on the call cuz overtime aren't those bolts just going to go into it when they're tightening up a project

[@Amboy65]

you might think about putting a piece of steel flat bar behind your call, or your bolt's that you use to tighten with will just dig into call destroying it over a short period of time.

[@wwscott7595]

Hullo young man. It's a bit like Dustins but different, if you know what I mean.Take care BIG GUY.

[@TheTranq]

I miss DP's videos

[@carterscustomrods]

What would you tap threads into the wood instead of using a threaded insert? That would eliminate a lot of work and the need for hardwood fences.

[@hardnox6655]

Good stuff. Great video. :)

[@adventureswithmaple4459]

Great video! I’ll be building one of these once my shop thaws out a little bit. By the way, I’m still waiting for the foosball table build I thought I saw on Instagram. Lol.

[@AutotechWoodworking]

When one door opens, another one closes. This is the perfect solution for me so I don't have to buy clamps that I have nowhere to store, (door opens). Unfortunately, I don't have the floor space to store it out of the way, nor do I have the space to hang it on a wall, (door closes).
This is not because my woodworking shop has every tool imaginable, and therefore has very little unused space, it's because my garage has very little space to use as a woodworking shop because of the idea that "I can use this someday, so I'll keep it".
I have been married 40+ years, and worked 35+ years in a medically shortened career as an automotive tech, but not being able to drive by myself, and being limited in what I can do, the garage sits mostly like it did when I became disabled. I would throw my name in for the Katz-Moses Disabled Woodworkers Fund, but since I'm not in a wheelchair, I don't know if I am disabled enough to qualify.

[@stevetobias4890]

Being restricted to a wheelchair shouldn't be the qualification for disabled access. I have most fingers amputated and have a really bad back as well as mobility problems, but we do what we can and woodworking is a great way to help take the mind off the constant pain.

[@AutotechWoodworking]

@@stevetobias4890 I meant to go in and edit, (again), my reply to read even though I'm disabled, I'm may not be disabled "enough" to require assistance in setting up my shop to suit my disabilities. Otherwise I would put my name in to the Katz-Moses Disabled Woodworkers Fund.

[@CBCITALY]

Have you published the plans for this jig? Love the idea!

[@johnlandry7988]

Looks like a great glue up jig, thanks for the great videos. Can you list what type of marking knife you’re using. It is different from the Narex in your tools list.
Thanks John

[@mathewanderson2400]

Im going to do this as I’ve got a lot of cutting boards to glue up in the next few months. Quick Q:
I’m not sure I really understand why you threaded the wood. Couldn’t you have put a washer and nut on the other side (maybe counter sunk for the width of the washer and bolt)? That would allow the bolt to hold on something more sturdy than wood and maybe provide a better bite and last longer? Do you have any issue with the pressure of the caul leveraging against the t-slot rails when at pressure?

[@Razor1rot]

I just discovered your channel because i kept hearing other woodworkers mention your stop block. I'm glad i checked you out man, your video style is fantastic with the music kicks while you work. Your like the Alec Steel of Woodworking, or maybe He is the Katz-Moses of forging? Either way man I am loving your stuff and you got a new subscriber out of me! Keep up the awesome work and careful on that Jointer Yeah? :P

[@woodyk5127]

Did u try using 4 way clamps? I guessing you never tried 4 way clamps because if you did you will discover that it is better than anything out there including what you just build. I recently used 4 way clamps using super strut based on UA-cam video that I saw and it is the best way to clamp panels and it is fully adjustable using super strut that you can buy from Home Depot.

[@brian454454]

Thanks for the video. Saw MTM’s years ago and still hasn’t gotten around to making one.

[@miamited69]

I would think t-nuts would be better than tapping the wood.

[@Dennis0869]

Do you have plans for this build

[@chm1701]

This is a great idea and the extra t-tracks are a massive improvement. Nice. Although, you mention in the video that you should have used tape to make the table saw cuts cleaner. I was just just wondering how you’d use it to make it cleaner, please? Thanks.

[@hunter3771]

Chris Morris he is referring to a method where he would just put a layer of blue tape covering the line he would cut on. Then he would peel the excess tape off after. It helps reduce chip out on cuts on the table saw or other tools.

[@Shane-ce9fm]

Didn't know Zach Galifianakis was such a talented woodworker.

[@edreusser4741]

Would some aluminum wide T-Track work for the fences? Mine is like 3.5 inches wide.

[@lolrofllmao97]

What's the benefit of using the pipe? There has to be a reason why you'd use them as a riser over just using the flat bottom of the jig but I don't understand. Is it just to stop glue squeeze out building up on the sled or is there another reason?

[@ivanivonovich9863]

Nice video...BUT HOW DOES THIS WORK? No demo after to show what/how this device does what you claim it does.

[@brian454454]

IVAN IVONOVICH Not sure what you’re getting at, he uses it twice. Once before, and then again after he added the t-track. He also explained it once before he showed it being used. Not being sarcastic, but if you know how to glue up a panel you know how to use this, if not, you need to know that first anyway.

[@davidchristianbuilds]

Random question...what white paint color did you use for your walls? Brand?

[@steveandrewsmith]

Nice build! I've seen a couple of different panel jigs. Like how you incorporated the sliding fence rather than just throwing in pieces of wood to make up the deference on a fixed fence. One question though, did you use epoxy just to "glue" the t track in place for full strength rather than just the screws?

[@blank___blackasd]

are there plans for this jig?

[@Ham68229]

Love this shop jig. Would MDF work as well vs using ply? Great video, thanks for sharing. Cheers :)

[@seankelly3910]

How can I get plans for this?

[@seankelly3910]

How can I get plans for this.

[@kirkachenbach]

Do you sell plans for this? thanks!

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

I just subscribed after watching this great build. I've heard countless You Tubers refer to you in their videos and just had to check you at. Love the style video you use too. Do you offer plans for each build because I didnt hear any numbers, or in this case size pipe you used? This clamping jig will be a welcome addition to my tiny shop. I only have one small bench and being on a frame and not pipes that make for tripping hazards when I lean the glue ups against the wall. Do you think this style can be adapted to a wall hanging clamping jig? And many thanks for what you do to help the vets.

[@mrimmortal1579]

I think that one of the nice things about this project is the fact that the dimensions really don’t matter all that much. You can scale it up or down to fit your most common sized project panels.
As to the size of the white rods (which I assume are PVC pipes), again I think the actual size doesn’t matter much. They appear to be there to simply hold the panel above the plywood surface (which keeps glue squeeze-out from sticking your part to the jig). As long as they create enough space between the panel and jig for that, any size would do, as long as you use the same size throughout the project.
Lastly, it looks like it would be very easy to adapt the jig to be able to hang on the wall while your panel is drying by adding a French cleat to the back of it.

[@luisvasquez581]

Do you sell those I’d like to buy one 👍

[@LLPOF]

It might be better, for time-saving, to edit out the mistakes. You can still mention them as a note by saying "Don't do this" and only devote video time for only the ones that need extra clarity. Just an idea.

[@djb113]

Is there a Spotify playlist of the music used in your videos?

[@katzmosestools]

Only so many hours in the day

[@JT-hw6mq]

just curious, why not do a glue-up with solid wood for the demo?

[@katzmosestools]

Would you just glue up $100 in wood for no reason?

[@shenlun]

In your last video with a scary sharp system what did you spray the sheets with, please ?

[@hunter3771]

shenlun water. He says it in the video

[@samueldeter9735]

Really enjoyed the video, and although I'm brand new to this, I think I will attempt this as one of my first jigs. I'm just trying to understand this from a physical perspective (just how my mind works lol) and having some trouble with it. I've watched the video twice now and just can't seem to wrap my head around what's causing the 'clamping' action. Pushing the fence against your piece and tightening the top nuts 'snugs' it, but then obviously your horizontal bolts somehow create adjustable pressure. Does tightening the bolts just draw the material in against your front fence? If so, how does that squeeze the full glue up together, instead of just what the bolts are biting into? I assume the bolts are only long enough to reach the 'sacrificial piece' between your fence and workpiece, or will they create holes in the edge of your workpiece that you'll have to adjust for as well?

[@redwoodprosth]

I'm thinking all the bolts tighten the caul into the glue up. The Ttrack bolts are there to just hold the fence/caul in place?

[@justinjones9255]

The 1/4 20 knobs tighten the fence up so it’s snug to the piece (with the caul in between). The horizontal screws are then tightened which drives the ends of the screws through the fence applying force to push the caul against the piece resulting in the clamping force. This clamping force is much higher than what can be achieved by just pushing the fence by hand. The many horizontal screws allow you to fine tune the clamping force along the piece. Quite ingenious really.

[@BOBBY-et9xb]

You didn't show the whole build in detail. How do those horizontal bolts work. Thanks

[@steveandrewsmith]

They apply pressure to hold and press the workpiece. The vertical ones just lock it in place.

[@bobd5119]

I think he bored hols through the board and tapped them, i.e. the bolts run in threaded wood. If there are enough of the bolts, I think there's no need to tighten them beyond the wood's ability to hold.

[@thelosttexan1717]

Plans?

[@orelygarcia]

💖💯😎👍👍

[@flamabl1]

Hilarious that people think you need so much clamping pressure.

[@satxsatxsatx]

looks great
but :)
how to keep the elements from buckling upwards?

[@katzmosestools]

Watch the whole video

[@brian454454]

Jonathan Katz-Moses should have told him to drill holes through his panel and screw it to the jig. 😇

[@gabrielaverell2747]

Am I the only one that sees Jimmy Kimmel?!

[@ronmichaelsen3983]

Tap the whole hole! ... Stop it!

[@josephdestaubin7426]

Watching this video reminds me of stop-and-go traffic. Very unpleasant experience. It's really a shame because if it were properly edited with the talking happening while the work was being done, with voice over rather than unhelpful music, it would be really good content.