How to Use a Clamp
- 1). Make sure before you start gluing your project that you have enough clamps that will fit.
- 2). Use a level work surface.
- 3). Glue your project, and then apply the appropriate clamp.
- 4). Make sure the jaws don't touch the work. Protect wood with felt pads, scrap wood or folded wax paper.
- 5). Tighten the clamps carefully - be sure to distribute pressure evenly on the work.
- 6). Alternate directions of the clamps.
- 7). Measure the diagonals to see whether the work remained square while you were clamping it. If it isn't, loosen the clamps and readjust.
- 8). Wipe off any glue that leaks out of the seams. Stains and other finishes won't look right on dried glue.
- 9). When the work is clamped, reinforce the joints with finishing nails.
Source...